Editor's note: This classic OYT post first appeared on 4-16-18
By Heather Lang
The fad diet industry capitalizes on our insecurities. We all want “the perfect body” without working for it and we want it now. But what are you willing to give up to get that body? What is it worth to you?
The Boston Medical Center indicates that about 45 million Americans diet each year and spend $33 billion on weight-loss products in their pursuit of a trimmer, fitter body.
Today you can’t turn on the television, radio or pull up any social media site let alone talk to any of your friends or family that are either currently on a fad diet, have tried a fad diet, or are talking about starting a fad diet.
Fad diets consist of a number of "techniques" to trim you down. And there are a number to choose from, whether it is the military diet, diets with shakes and bar supplements, apple cider vinegar diet, Keto, gluten-free diet, or even as crazy as the cotton ball diet and the tapeworm diet.
Most fad diets eliminate food groups, or at a minimum, tend to limit the amount of certain nutrients, which can be harmful. Fad diets are often gimmicks. They are quick fixes, but they are not the answer to taking control of your health. The major macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) all have critical roles in our overall health and nutrition which in turn make them essential in our diets.
Now don’t get me wrong I do understand that many lose weight on these fad diets. Some lose lots of weight rather quickly, while others lose enough to keep them interested.
As a farmer, a rancher and an advocate for agriculture, the discussion of fad diets turns my belly a bit. As a mother of three growing children I struggle daily to make sure my kids are eating from ALL the food groups.
We regularly talk about what food group each of the foods I have on the table for them would fall into.
As parents, we try to drive home the fact that they know:
A. Where their food comes from;
B. How much work goes into growing that food and getting it to their plate for them to enjoy;
C. How extremely lucky they are to have food on their table multiple times a day each day; and
D. That they understand a balanced lifestyle is the best of all.
Yes, I have also fallen into the deception of a fad diet or two. But I quickly was reminded that those are just a temporary solution. They are NOT a healthy lifestyle. Everything is great IN MODERATION.
I may not have the picture-perfect body and I may eat foods that are not healthy for me sometimes. Still, I can take comfort in the fact that I am making decisions that are best for my health. I know that my kids are learning from my husband and I the importance of food along with the significant role food plays in their health. And I take satisfaction in knowing that as a 5th generation farm family we are providing the healthy, nutritious food that we all truly need.