Yo Yo Dieting in Men

          When a person wishes to go on a diet, they may experience the ups and downs that come with the process of dieting. This is when the term "yo yo dieting" comes into play. Even though a person may lose weight after beginning a diet, they will have to work hard to keep up and maintain the progress. Yo yo dieting is also seen in individuals who are obese.
          Those who are obese have more fat cells than a person who is physically fit. Their fat cells are also larger. When an obese man or woman diets, their fat cells do not decrease in numbers, they only grow smaller. This means that when food intake increases after a diet, the fat cells will return to their original state, making the overall appearance of the individual larger. This is why it is important for a person to find a diet that they will be able to stick to; they will be able to feel better and maintain their weight loss better.
          Although the trend of dieting has been mostly associated with women; men also experience these ups and downs of yo yo dieting. During short-term dieting, a dieter must exercise or else half or more of the weight they lose will be due to a loss in muscles. Muscle loss will lead to a variety of problems, such as a
thinner, weaken body prone to breakdowns and fatigue; weakened maintenance of weight because it is muscle than burns calories, not fat; and when weight is gained back, it is mostly fat that will stick to the body- exercise is needed to build muscles.
          Another result of yo yo dieting is when the weight is gained back, a dieter who does not exercise will not only be fatter, but will appear thicker than they were before. For example, let's say a man weighed 300 pounds and wore a 5x shirt. He diets without exercising, then loses 20 pounds. Now, let's say that he regains the weight, but now he is puzzled as to why he now has to fit into a size 6x shirt. The reason is that
fat is lighter and less dense than muscle, so it takes more fat weight, as well as bulk, to replace the lost muscle weight. Exercise can eliminate some of these problems.
Not only is yo yo dieting a frustrating process, but it is not good for your overall health. When a person bounces from weight gain to weight loss and back to weight gain again, the immune system suffers. Studies have shown that negative health effects of yo-yo yodieting can still be detected years after the fact. If a man participates in crash dieting, such as trying to lose ten pounds in ten days, they will most likely suffer from a yo yo dieting trend. If they are trying to maintain a healthy weight, they should choose a diet that promotes a healthy diet over longer periods of time. The diet should be a complete lifestyle change and not something to try for one brief moment. It has been said that if you lose more than 1-2 pounds a week, you are probably doing too much.
If you are interested in reading a little more on the subject, you should look into such books as:
The Yo-Yo Diet Syndrome: How to Heal and Stabilize Your Appetite and Weight by Doreen Virtue
How to Stop the Yo-Yo Diet Syndrome by Charles Schoelen
The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet : The Lifelong Solution to Yo-Yo Dieting by Rachael F. Heller
The Turbo-Protein Diet: Stop Yo-Yo Dieting Forever by Dieter Markert
The Low Carb Yo-Yo: Why Low Carb Diets Dont' Work by Barry Sears

I lost 40lbs following fad diets - Discover some tips.
Free Fad Diets offers advice on fad diets, and popular diets such as the Cabbage Soup Diet.

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Weight Loss Diet Reviews

Here's a look at some of the most common diets people are using.
The Atkins Diet
          The Atkins diet is based on high protein, low-carbohydrate fare. It allows all of the meat and vegetables you want with no restrictions on fats. Fruits are kept to a minimum. Bread, pasta, and other grain products are restricted. Many people have had weight loss success on the Atkins' Diet because it offers many delicious food options. However, it can be high in fat, possible harmful over long periods of time and low in fiber and calcium.
The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet
          This is another reduced carbohydrate diet that allows meats, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and grain products, but restricts all other carbohydrates. It tends to be quite high in fat and saturated fat.
The Choose to Lose Diet
          This is a low fat diet that allows you to eat from all of the major food groups. You are only restricted by a "fat budget" that you choose how to spend. Carbohydrates are allowed, as well as lean meat, poultry, seafood, fruits, vegetables, bread and pasta. The Choose to Lose Diet allows an ample amount of fruits and vegetables and it is low in saturated fat and it provides a fairly healthy eating plan for fast weight loss.
The DASH Diet

          The DASH diet allows for a high carbohydrate intake, with moderate amounts of fat and protein. It was originally designed as a low-pressure diet. The DASH diet follows the principles of the Food Pyramid, but it suggests more servings of fruits and vegetables (up to nine daily,) and more dairy servings (two to three daily servings of low fat or nonfat dairy.) The DASH diet may require too much food for most people to see weight loss results.
The Eat More Weigh Less Diet
          This diet is an extremely low-fat diet that focuses on vegetarian fare. It allows fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, egg whites, and some nonfat dairy products. This is a very restricted diet that limits even healthy foods like lean organic meats, poultry, and low-fat dairy products. This diet is great for vegetarians, but it is low in calcium, and it may be too difficult for most people to follow long enough to see weight loss results.
The Eat Right For Your Blood Type Diet
          This diet plan bases you food choices on your blood type. For example, those with Type O blood follow an eating plan that includes lots of meat. Some of the "blood type" diets in this plan are too restricted in calories and they may be poor in nutritional balance. Little proof is offered on basis of the diet, that blood type should affect dietary choices.
The Pritkin Principle Diet
          This diet focuses on restricting calories and eating more "watery" foods that fill you up quicker. (It follows the same principle that suggests you should drink a full glass of water before each meal to make your stomach feel full faster. It allows fruits, vegetables, pasta, oatmeal, soups, salads, and low-fat dairy, but limits protein sources to lean meats, poultry and seafood. This is a low-fat diet that offers plenty of fruits and vegetables, but it can be low in calcium.
The Protein Power Diet
          This is a very high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. It allows for lots of meats and fats but limits that consumption of fruits and vegetables. This is a very restrictive diet that limits healthy foods like whole grains and beans. It is very high in fat, especially saturated fat and it is very low in calcium.
Power Busters
          This is a low-carbohydrate diet that is high in fat and protein. Fruits and grain products are forbidden, but high-fat meats and dairy products are allowed. Like many other low-carb diets, the Power Busters diet is high in fat, high in saturated fat, and low in calcium.
The Slimirex Diet
          I highly recommend the Slimirex diet. I've found use of weight loss product Slimirex combined with moderate exercise at least three times per week and a moderate diet to be an effective method of losting the weight you want.
Volumetrics
          The Volumetrics diet is a restricted calorie diet that allows fruits, vegetables, pasta, oatmeal, soups, salads, lean meats, poultry, seafood and dairy. High fat food and "dry" foods like crackers, pretzels, and popcorn are restricted. It is low in saturated fat and provides an ample amount of fruits and vegetables..
Weight Watchers
          This diet does not restrict followers to a set meal plan. Dieters are able to plan their own diet every day following a point system that allows the dieter to spend a certain "allowance" in each category. This diet allows moderate fat and protein intake and high carbohydrate consumption. Generally, vegetables and whole grain products have the lowest point value and high fat foods "cost" the most amount of points.
The Zone Diet
          This diet is moderately high in protein and low in carbohydrates. It allows low fat foods like chicken and fish and plenty of fruits and vegetables. But whole grains are restricted. This is a healthy eating plan, although it is low in calcium.
Out of all these diets, I personally recommend taking Slimirex and following the "Bio-Rhythm Diet Plan" outlined in the "Weight Loss Secrets Revealed" E-book at http://www.weightlossobesity.com website.

Dr. Edward F. Group III, D.C., Ph.D. is an internationally recognized weight loss and natural health expert and the President of Houston-based Global Healing Center. Dr. Group's latest product is the weight loss product Slimirex. For more information on weight loss, visit The Weight Losss & Obesity Resource Center at http://www.weightlossobesity.com

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Let's Talk About Fad Diets

          Although the big push for fad diets has died down a little bit, it is still estimated that at least two-thirds of Americans are on some type of diet at any given time. Although research shows the importance of eating from all the major food groups, people are still confused about what type of diet to follow, keeping the window open for more quacky solutions to pop up.
          In an effort to help readers determine what makes a diet healthy and when it's time to steer clear, I am going to discuss what makes a diet a 'fad' diet and why these diets are something best to stay away from. Along the way, we will discover what each food group has to offer that can be beneficial to our health.
Our bodies are uniquely designed to take advantage of the proteins, carbohydrates and fats that we eat. In order for the liver to do the best job it can for us, we actually need all of these nutrients, known as macronutrients. Even a 'detoxifying' diet should also include all of these macronutrients!
          During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. Currently, more than 64% of US adults are either overweight or obese, according to results from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). So, look at the facts: Two thirds of all Americans are on some 'diet', yet we are getting fatter and fatter. Would that perhaps mean that the fad diets don't work? Let's talk about it.
Identifying a fad diet

A 'fad diet' is defined as something temporary. Therefore, it's no surprise that these diets are not successful. Let's begin by looking at how to identify a fad diet.
1 - Promises a fast weight loss.
           This is great, in the short term, but how many readers have or know someone who has followed one of these diets, only to regain the weight back, plus more for added bonus? When people lose weight very quickly, they lose a lot of lean muscle tissue, and the weight that comes back will most likely be more fat and less muscle, making it easier and easier to regain weight each time they drop the last fad diet. A healthy diet to follow will be one that will encourage slow, progressive weight loss over a longer period of time.
          It will have enough calories to support vigorous exercise, so that you lose fat and not muscle. Diets that are too low for the body's basic needs will result in the body breaking down it's protein stores (muscle) for the fuel it needs. Sort of defeats the whole purpose of the diet!
2 - Eliminates foods or food groups.
          The very first thing that alerts us that a diet is a 'fad' is when a particular food, or entire food group, is considered off-limits. This is a good time to talk about the low carb diets.
What is it that has made carbohydrates a bad nutrient? When you look at other countries, where the intake of carbohydrates is as high as 80%, and see that many of these countries are not suffering even close to the obesity rates we are in America, you have to wonder why they are not having the same problem. So, can it really be the carbs? Probably not. But, maybe it's the type of carbs. Many people who decide to go on one of the popular low carbohydrate diets start to eliminate a lot of food from their diets, including all the snack foods they were eating, particularly at night. Gone are the chips, the cookies, the crackers, the ice cream. Gone are up to 300 to 1,000 calories per day! Anyone would lose weight if they cut out those many calories from their daily diet.
          Another problem with eliminating entire food groups, especially on low carb diets, is that they are recommending eliminating or limiting the intake of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. With all the substantial research showing how beneficial these foods are to preventing various diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, it's amazing that anyone involved in healthcare would recommend such a diet. Something to also notice, however, is that none of these fad diet books are written by anyone with a degree in nutrition. Even the medical community is confused, which explains why physicians will fall for some of the hype fad diet authors write.
          But let's talk a little more about fruits, vegetables and starches: A diet high in animal protein and animal fat has been linked to various disease and inflammation states. A diet very high in protein puts a great load on our kidneys and can contribute to constipation, gout and bone loss due to calcium depletion from the high protein load.
Combine that with decreased fiber from lack of whole grains and fiber-rich fruit and vegetables, and many people just don't feel well; they feel fatigued, sluggish and their immune system is depressed.
3 - Starts with a shock or follows a strict plan.
          When the diet says you have to start with an extremely restricted diet, or you can only eat certain foods on particular days, you know it's a fad diet. They justify this by saying you have to clean out the body, or only certain foods will help with the weight loss process. Any change in how you currently eat will result in changes on the scale. Very few people can remain on these diets very long, so once they are 'off' the diet, the weight returns. The dieter learned nothing other than the misinformation the author provided them with. This can actually have far-reaching consequences, as then the dieter is more confused than ever and doesn't know what to believe!
          Once a person learns what the qualities of a healthy diet consist of, they find that their optimum calorie level is for their own needs, and they are able to achieve their goals, combining their eating plan with exercise. Not only do they start to enjoy life again, but enjoy food AND see weight loss!
Although fad diet authors want you to believe their 'miracle' (and buy their products), there really is no get-thin-quick solution that is permanent.
          But what does constitute a healthy diet? A healthy diet is one that is adequate in calories to support healthy weight, low in animal fats and saturated fats, animal protein should be very lean and adequate enough to support a diet high in fruits and vegetables and whole grain starches. Any healthy diet can include foods that are just for enjoyment, however. All foods really do fit, in moderation. A general rule is an 80/20 rule: Eighty percent of the time the diet should be healthy and then 20% of the time it can include foods you would not eat on a regular basis if you were trying to eat for health and weight loss.
4 - Contradicts what experts say.
          Authors of low carb diets say that the carbohydrates are what have made American's fat. But they can't explain why other countries whose diets are very high in carbohydrates don't have the same problems with obesity. You know it's a fad diet when the author says they have the 'inside' or 'hidden' truth about our health or diets. You also know it's a questionable publication when they say there is a hidden agenda among health professionals or the government.
          But why is America getting fatter and fatter? America is a country of grab-and-go: The faster, the better. Families seldom sit down to meals, together. There are fewer physical fitness programs in school and many of the school food choices are fast foods. People and entire families eat 2-3 of their daily meals from a drive-through or a restaurant, most of which provide very few of the foods high in nutrients and low in calories. Restaurants add extra fats to their dishes to enhance the taste, so a meal you could make at home without added fats could have up to 60% of it's calories coming from fat to make it taste better! Plus, the serving sizes are much larger than they were 20 years ago, so most of the time the size of the meals could actually feed us for 2 to 3 meals, instead of one! However, many people still feel they must clean their plate rather than let the food 'go to waste'. They really should say, "go to waist"!!
          As you read this, think back to the last week. How often did you sit down at home and eat a home-cooked meal? Do you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner each day? How often do you exercise vigorously? In Europe, the meals are much smaller and people walk a great deal more than in America. In some neighborhoods, it's actually impossible to walk to work, even if you live very close! Our road systems are no longer built for riding bikes or walking to work. You take your life into your hands, either from passing traffic or crime.
5 - Relies on testimonials rather than scientific research.
          The fact that Jane lost pounds in a week because she just ate cabbage soup does not mean it's safe, effective, or that it will work for you! What if you don't LIKE cabbage?
An example of testimonials, combined with the research to back it up, is the National Weight Control Registry. In order to join the Registry, a person has to have lost pounds and have kept it off for a year. Currently consisting of over 4500 individuals, the Registry was founded in 1993 as a longitudinal prospective study. Currently, there have been six studies resulting out of the Registry. For more information on the Registry, along with how most of the Registry members have in common, here is the website: http://www.nwcr.ws/.
6 - Has a gimmick.
          The problem with diet plans that have some type of gimmick, is people can't stay on them and they don't learn how to eat for the long-term. It's no secret that all the books must have something to 'catch' the reader. However, hidden among all the hype are books that really DO offer safe and effective solutions to weight loss. A book written by a registered dietitian (RD) is a guarantee that the material is accurate and safe. An RD is someone whose education, training and experience all revolve around the science and practice of nutrition; these truly ARE nutrition experts.
          Consider this: If you had heart disease, you would see a cardiologist who specializes in heart health. If your teeth needed work, you would see a dentist. However, many people will buy 'diet' books from people who are not educated in nutrition! People will buy a diet book from a person who found what worked for them, or a movie star or a physician. In many of these books, because the author does not understand nutrition, many facts are distorted or misrepresented. It may not always be on purpose, but the point is these books are written by someone who really does not know nutrition and the science behind it, so either they distort the facts, or they make them fit the gimmick they are trying to sell.
So, the next time a friend mentions this great new diet they're on, or you see a new book that offers 'miracle' weight loss or something that 'health professionals don't really want you to know', take a step back and ask yourself these questions:
1- Does it promise fast weight loss?
2- Does it eliminate any major foods or food groups?
3- Is there a strict plan that must be followed for success?
4- Does it contradict what nutrition experts and science has to say?
5- Does it rely primarily on testimonials and 'before and after' pictures too good to be true?
6- Is there a gimmick?
          If you answered yes to all or most of these questions, after you have stepped back, walk away and find a better plan. Isn't today time to get real and make your weight loss plan permanent and realistic?

Marjorie Geiser is a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer and life coach. Marjorie has been the owner of a successful small business, MEG Fitness, since 1996, and now helps other nutrition professionals start up their own private practice.
To learn more about the services Margie offers, go to her website at http://www.megfit.com or email her at margie@megfit.com.

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Detox Diet Benefits

What to Expect when Detox Dieting
          All detox diets are a little bit different. Some restrict food down to almost nothing while others allow for mostly veggies, beans, fruit, and rice. There are a few things that you should expect when beginning a detox diet, so that you can receive the full detox diets benefits.
          Your body is significantly used to adjusting to toxins and poisons running through your body. One of the greatest detox diet benefits, naturally, is that you will rid your body of these toxins and poisons. There are side effects of receiving these detox diet benefits. If you are particularly used to that steaming cup of caffeinated beverage in the morning, you will experience caffeine withdrawal. While it may not seem like it while you are experiencing caffeine withdrawal, this is one of the detox diet benefits. Once your body has adjusted to the absence of caffeine, you should find that you have more energy.
          Constipation is considered a leading cause of lethargy and fatigue. One of the detox diet benefits is the cleansing of the colon, which can cure even long term constipation. I had a room mate that was on narcotic pain relievers for over a year due to a severe injury. The narcotics kept her chronically constipated. The day she was finally through with her narcotic pain relievers, she went through a detox diet. She found that the detox diet benefits included relieving her body of the narcotic dependency as well as relieved her chronic constipation. She now regularly cleanses and detoxifies her colon when she is having difficulty going to the restroom, with obvious detox diet benefits as she returns from the restroom with a pleased grin on her face instead of the anguish she used to live in.

          Even with the detox diet benefits, some people report feeling a bit weak about one week into the detox diet. Most detox diets do reduce food consumption, which can have an effect. The basic key is knowing how to elongate the effects of the foods you do eat. Those who really struggle with the lowered food consumption report that splitting the lunches into 2 meals works better for them than eating just the suggested breakfast and lunch. This still gives them the detox diet benefits but doesn't introduce additional foods into the scenario. Most detox diet experts state that provided you are not adding additional foods to the diet, segregating the meals into smaller snacks is perfectly acceptable.
          The excessive water consumption associated with the detox diet is going to encourage your system to flush, which means you will be visiting the rest room much more often. This is a positive detox diet benefit. The more water that flushes your system the more toxins that will exit your body when you excrete it, and excreting it often will enhance the productivity of the entire process.
          One of the little known detox diet benefits is the regeneration of the liver that can occur while following a detox diet. Milk thistle is typically recommended as part of the supplementation of the detox diet. Milk thistle aids in the liver's ability to regenerate. It's not a cure for liver disease, however it can help in the prevention of a liver disease, along with other changes to your lifestyle.
What Not to Expect when Detox Dieting
          Detox dieting is designed to alleviate the ailments associated with large quantities of toxins that are built up in the human body. Detox dieting is not a "cure" for every disease. While most people experience great relief from every day annoying symptoms, detox dieting does not eliminate diseases that are already in the system. For instance, you can not rid you body of cancer cells by detox dieting. The cancer cells, for starters are not an actual toxin. They may have been caused by toxins, but the cells themselves are not something that can be flushed away.
          Most people drop several pounds when detox dieting. There are those who drop a significant amount of weight when detox dieting. This is normal, and while some of it can be contributed to the flushing of fat cells, water weight, and calorie reduction, there is some permanent weight loss happening provided you do not return to eating habits that are probable for weight gain. This means that if you were prone to eating potato chips and cookies prior to detox dieting and you return to eating potato chips and cookies after detox dieting, you will gain the weight back. This may seem obvious, but there are plenty of foods that people believe contain a low calorie and low fat content but in reality they contain quite the opposite. An avocado for example contains nearly three times the amount of fat and calories as a measured serving of enriched white rice. While detox dieting, learn to recognize the foods you are putting into your body and what they actually do once they enter your gullet.
          Detox dieting is not a cure for serious emotional or mental conditions, such as clinical depression. While many people admit to feeling less "depressed" during and after detox dieting, there is a difference between situational depression and clinical depression. Clinical depression requires medication. Detox dieting can not take the place of medication that is necessary to function on a day to day basis. Situational depression may be alleviated through detox dieting simply because you are taking control of your body, your health, in essence, your situation. These two depressions are significantly different.
How is Detox Dieting Different from Other Diet Plans?
          Diet plans are a dime a dozen. There are grapefruit diet plans and the Atkins diet plan and the green tea diet plan and the national chain diet plans. An individual can spend countless hours and thousands of dollars "trying on" various diet plans. Some will work while others will ultimately fail. Why? Because not all diet plans will work for everyone. Does detox dieting work for everyone? Yes. Why? Because losing weight is a by product of the goal. The goal is to clean the body of the various toxins and wastes which have accumulated over the years. This is a process of ridding the body of the ailing chemicals we introduce it to on a daily basis while eliminating the build up of residual toxins. Weight loss occurs as a result of numerous factors, but weight loss in not the primary goal of a detox diet plan.
Keep in mind that not all detox diet plans are the same. Some detox diet plans are put together by professionals who understand the body's ability to cleanse itself of these harmful chemicals.
          While diet plans are typically put together by an entrepreneurial spirit, the detox diet plan was actually something that originated by a naturopathist, an individual who studies the various body types and how they process things on their own unique level. Since the detox diet plan was developed, there have been a remarkable number of "knock off" detox diet plans that have shown up on the market. These are all plans that suggest you stop eating and drink only diluted juice for several days (beyond twenty four hours this becomes unhealthy) and then limits food intake so dramatically that people find it impossible to stick to. If you're going to try any diet plan at all, it would simply make sense to start at the beginning. The beginning of healthy weight loss is a healthy body.
          The dramatic detox diet benefits is that people who tried to detoxify their bodies using the original detox diet plan found themselves losing weight as a welcome surprise. Detox dieting has grown in popularity due to its dual effect. Detox dieting cleanses the body of the toxins and as a result, weight loss occurs. There simply isn't another diet plan that can match that no matter what they claim.
          We live in a cluttered and chemically enriched society. Compare our lifestyles, our food products, and our basic need for heat and eat meals to the lifestyles and foods of people in remote and natural regions such as the Pacific Islands. People in natural regions are healthier overall. They eat natural foods that haven't been laced with chemicals and they live natural lives that don't revolve around the constant breathing of polluted air. Their bodies are not only healthier, but they are naturally thinner. They have fewer health complaints such as headaches and toothaches and stomach cramping.
          The detox diet plan can help you jumpstart your body toward a healthier state of being. Naturally, effective detox dieting requires an effective detox diet plan. You really shouldn't just linger out there in cyberspace hoping the right detox diet plan will pop up into your browser. There are very few detox diet plans that I would dare put my stamp of approval on. However, one in particular I have found has excellent reviews by some actual detox dieters. Finding an authentic detox diet plan that is effective, safe, and of course reliable shouldn't be left to luck.

Bobby Ryatt, If you enjoyed reading this articles, then go to my website where the detox guide is available. You will have all the information on the subject. The facts will open your eyes and expose some real truths. http://www.detoxmanual.com

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The Detox Diet Controversy

Detox or Starvation?
          The detox diet has come under harsh scrutiny over the past few months. There are ample claims that the only weight lost is the water weight form the initial fast and the natural weight loss occurs from cutting caloric intake. The detox diet is quite restrictive, to the point where some people are calling it a starvation diet. There have been countless articles written by "experts" that state that the detox diet endangers people, stating that it creates yo-yo dieting, an unhealthy relationship with food, and even can contribute to the development of an eating disorder.
          We also know that the vast majority of the "experts" who write these articles are those in the health and weight loss industry, such as nutritionists, health program supervisors, weight loss counselors, and lay people with an extreme interest in health and fitness. While I am certainly not suggesting that anyone is fabricating evidence or creating thought processes that are not accurate, I am however, indicating that when a person is educated to see things in one specific manner, it can be very difficult for them to see the same principles in a varying manner.

          For example, if a dietician goes to college and is taught that green beans cause cancer, that dietician will graduate believing that green beans cause cancer. If the same dietician returns for occasional classes to keep her education current, and over the course of the next ten years, the dietician is once again taught that green beans cause cancer, then the dietician will continue to believe this and teach her clients this as well. Fifteen years later someone comes along and points out to the dietician that green beans don't cause cancer, how likely is the dietician to believe that green beans don't cause cancer?
          This phenomenon is not solely related to dieticians and health related fields. This phenomenon actual relates to every field. As a writer I was taught that you never speak in double negatives. It's a basic principle I apply every day. If someone tried to convince me that the rules had suddenly changed, right or wrong, it has already been ingrained in me that double negatives are inappropriate and you shouldn't use them. Thus, if I criticize this new theory without completely re-educating myself on the basic rules of English and grammar, then I am relying solely on my previous knowledge to dispute this issue.
          So let's break away from conventional dieticians and explore the detox diet with a completely blank slate. I am not a dietician. I am just a writer is interested to know whether the detox diet is a healthy form of purification, or if it is a hidden form of starvation that does nothing but allow some water weight loss and makes you believe you are healthier. I have assembled three people who have done the detox diet and three who have not. Granted, this is not a huge percentage to pull from, but I am not using them as test subjects, only to ask them to verify or deny detox diet statements that are made from both testimonials from detox dieters and criticism from dieticians.
Fasting and Purity
          For centuries people have fasted for purity. If we look back through even ancient texts, we will find that the fasting was not for spiritual purity alone, but for physical purity as well. Fasting for purity often left the spiritual seeker feeling initially drained and then once again reenergized within a thirty six hour period. The purity that they felt within their spirits was also a purity that they felt through their body. This argument can be easily criticized that they felt their body's purity because of their spiritual lifting. All three detox dieters, who were not in search of spiritual enlightenment, all agreed that they felt weak from the initial starvation, but began to feel "clearer," before the end of the second day. None of them agreed that they were experiencing starvation. They all felt their fasting led to at least some form of physical purity.
          In medical science, there are times when doctors recommend fasting. Not including pre surgical procedures, most fasting requirements are for some form of "readying" or purity. Prior to starting diets that treat illnesses, such as the ketogenic diet, there is a period of fasting required beforehand.
Critics of the detox diet claim that the headaches and general all over yucky feeling people experience in the first week of a detox diet is from a lack of food. However, champions of the detox diet say that the headaches and the generally "yucky" feeling they get when fasting coincides with a noticeable change in their excretions. My three detox dieters all agreed that when their urine and bowel movements became noticeably more "aromatic" they found themselves with headaches and a feeling of overall fatigue. They did not contribute this feeling to fasting.
          I did an online search and found eleven dieticians that negated the detox diet. Each one of them claimed that the headaches were from the fasting, however, each of them offered their own version of the detox diet. Interesting. The dieticians' versions included what could almost be considered fasting. Their idea of not fasting was eating some fruit and yogurt. Most detox diets do not include a total fasting period.
          The critics of the detox diet are not impressed with the detox diet weight loss. They claim that the detox diet weight loss comes from the loss of water weight during the fasting period and will be regained quickly when normal eating is resumed. The detox diet weight loss comes from various sources. If you are doing a complete detoxification, including the colon, all three of my detox dieters claim that you can see where some of the weight loss comes from as you are flushing it down the toilet. Two of my detox dieters had to call plumbers from the excessive waste they produced. Their detox diet weight loss has remained, and two of them started the detox diet more than six months prior to this writing. Detox diet weight loss remained in all three of my dieters because they make better choices. They resumed normal eating habits, but they did not return to ingesting large amounts of junk foods. They claim that the detox diet showed them how important maintaining a low toxic level was to their overall health.
Just Another Diet Trend?
          The critics of the detox diet claim that this diet trend, like all those that came before it, is no more effective than anything else that has been put out there. Whenever a new diet trend comes along, people rush to participate, and then claim that it doesn't work. Not all diets will work for everyone. I tried the Atkins diet for awhile with little or no results, but a man I knew lost nearly thirty pounds on it. However Atkins doesn't work very well for people who are not significantly overweight, according to some critics and apparently my body. So, does that mean that the detox diet is more than just another diet trend, or will it fall to the wayside after a bit like every other diet trend. Of my detox dieters, 2 out of three say it's not a diet trend. It is a method of cleansing the body, which other diet trends simply don't do. The 3rd dieter says it is a diet trend, but a highly effective diet trend, and if a diet trend is effective then who cares if it's a trend? Interesting point.
Diet trend and fads usually don't carry much weight behind their claims.
          They are simply a theory produced to suggest that the latest Diet trend is the most effective weight loss plan and everyone needs to jump on board before their obesity claims them forever. The detox diet has a different aim, so I really poked around when trying to determine if this was simply just a diet trend or more of a health revolution.
          There is overwhelming evidence that Americans and Canadians are in the poorest health overall, considering the health care we have available. The healthcare we have at our fingertips should make us one of the healthiest nations in the world, but we rank very low on the list. Most doctors and scientists contribute this to the foods we put into our body and the chemicals we come in contact with when eating, working, and playing. For the health choices that we have available to us, we have one of the highest rates of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and childhood cancer rates in the world. Of course, we also rank ridiculously high on the list for overweight and obese citizens.
          The detox diet is concerned with addressing the overall health of Americans, not just their waistline. The diet trends that have come along have been concerned with treating the waistline issues, but not the overall health. So, is the detox diet just another diet trend? By technical definition, a diet trend meaning any new method of eating introduced into society that creates a sudden onslaught of followers, well then yes. However, it can't be considered a diet trend by any other definition. It was simply not developed for the same reasons or the same fashion that diet trends hit the market.
          Thin people can benefit from the detox diet. Overweight people can benefit from the detox diet. Everyone in between can benefit from the detox diet. The detox diet isn't targeted for weight loss. Thus it is really about a healthier lifestyle. Detox dieting is geared toward permanent health. After a significant purge of the body's chemical and toxic build up, the detox diet is geared to long lasting non-toxic lifestyles rather than diet trends, which tend to be geared toward lifestyles that manage weight.
Decide for Yourself
          Discover for yourself the difference in a good quality detox diet and just another diet trend. The best consumer is an informed consumer. Check out detox manual and decide for yourself about the power of a good detox diet. After the research I did for this article, I am definitely stopping at detox manual and taking my own detox diet trip.

Bobby Ryatt, If you enjoyed reading this articles, then go to my website where the detox guide is available. You will have all the information on the subject. The facts will open your eyes and expose some real truths. http://www.detoxmanual.com

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So What Is All The New Detox Diet Craze

Effective or Fad?
          It seems like the latest craze in dieting and health, everywhere you turn there are commercials, infomercials, magazine articles, and of course, sales pitches regarding the Detox diet. So how is one to decipher whether detoxification is a relative need or a simple promotion to assist the diet industry's billion dollar a year sales?
          A little due diligence can help determine whether a Detox diet is something that can help you retain or gain a higher level of health. Removing toxins from your body can make a significant difference in your overall health. Detox diets are based on the principle that our food is for the most part chemically treated, and filled with toxins. Even foods listed as organic are not completely organic unless they are labeled 100% organic. Anything with an organic label that does not specify 100% organic can have as much as 25% non-organic material and toxins in the processing, growing, or cultivation phases.
          "So What Is All The New Detox Diet Craze" It's no secret that farmers utilize growth hormones in their livestock to produce more pounds of meat per animal. These growth hormones are pinpointed as one of the leading causes for the rapid growth rate of our children. The majority of twelve year olds are now above five feet. Scientists look toward the growth hormones used in animal production to help explain this.

          Thus, toxins are in the foods we eat, the water we drink, even the water we purchase. There is a build up of chemicals in the body that the body is not likely to rid itself of, and thus the Detox diet was introduced to assist in the removal of toxins from the body.
          A Detox diet that has been tailored to you is best. Being able to readily lay your hands on information about how to guide yourself through the detoxification process is also vital to the success of an effective Detox diet. For instance, a person who eats a diet that consists mostly of fish, particularly salmon can find themselves with a sudden case of mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning is not an obvious ailment. In fact it is very difficult to diagnose until the individual loses the function of their hands. Even then it can be missed. However, once the mercury poisoning is diagnosed, one of the fastest methods of treatment is an effective Detox diet. Why? Because a good Detox diet will cleanse the system and rib the body of the majority of poisons and toxins that build up in our systems through the foods we eat and the environments we live in.
          However, the same Detox diet utilized for an individual with too much fish in their diet is not likely to be as effective for an individual who wishes to use the Detox diet to assist in the process of smoking cessation. An effective Detox diet for smoking cessation will vary, as the primary goal is to rid the body of a build up of nicotine in the system.
          The next logical question is do Detox diets work? Some Detox diets work and other Detox diets don't work. "So What Is All The New Detox Diet Craze" How can you tell the difference? For starters, an effective Detox diet should be able to explain why the foods that are being suggested are on the list in the first place. Anyone can slap together an outline of vegetables and call it a Detox diet. A Detox diet contains more than just vegetables.
          An effective Detox diet will have strong recommendations for various vitamins and minerals, along with an explanation of why these vitamins and minerals help in the detoxification process. The detoxification process is more complex than most people realize, and using a blend of vitamins and minerals to assist in the detoxification process is necessary, without overdosing on detoxification vitamins. It is possible to overdose on vitamins. Any Detox diet that does not restrict the vitamin intake is not an effective Detox diet.
          An effective Detox diet will educate the dieter along the way. The detoxification process is not just a blanket idea. Retaining the positive effects takes some education as well as a constant desire to remain healthy. An effective Detox diet will show you how to rid your body of the current toxins while teaching you how to minimize the intake of toxins once normal eating has resumed.
          There are those who should avoid a Detox diet. Just like all diets and diet products, the Detox diet is not a one size fits all plan. People with specific health concerns, eating disorders, or chronic illnesses should at the very least consult their physician or avoid the Detox diet altogether. Any Detox diet that markets to everyone without regard to personal health or possible complications is not an effective Detox diet plan.
The Dieting Industry
          The dieting industry is a billion dollar a year business, with annual growth that leaps by about 10 to 15% annually. People are searching for better ways to be healthy, not to mention better ways to lose weight, look younger, and feel more energized. The dieting industry is loaded with companies that take full advantage of any fad or trend that comes along. It's a dieting jungle out there, and it is a case of buyer beware.
          "So What Is All The New Detox Diet Craze" Most Detox diets available today are simple plans that the designer of the plan wishes you to execute time and again, thus very few teach you about common toxins. Common toxins are easy to avoid, and of course easy to ingest. It is difficult to avoid ingesting the common toxins if you are unaware of what they are and how we end up with these common toxins in our body. Common toxins that produce illness, stress, fatigue, and run down your body are everywhere.
          How easy would it be to avoid them if you just knew where these common toxins existed? Of course, most Detox diets are based on the principle that you will notice how much better you feel and as you re-ingest the common toxins, you will return time and again for more information on the detoxification process.
          Thus, while you are seeking an effective Detox diet, you want to be sure that it offers methods of avoiding the common toxins that we run into on a daily basis. These common toxins are in the air, in the products we use on our hair and skin, and in the foods we eat.
Detox Supplementationg
          There is quite a bit of controversy surrounding Detox supplements. Particularly Detox supplements that are sold by the creators of the Detox diet you are interested in purchasing. Many Detox diet programs are designed to automatically ship you their products month after month. This creates a simple chain that allows them to maximize their profit at your expense.
          Detox supplements that are set up for consistent delivery charge you prior to receiving the Detox supplements. That means if you decided that you are not interested in their Detox supplementation programs, and you have forgotten to cancel your order, sometimes in as little as two weeks, you will be charged for a product you do not wish to receive.
          These Detox diet programs are set up for maximum profit and little regard to customer satisfaction. While there are advantages to some Detox supplements, not all of them are high quality. Once again, the due diligence must be considered by the buyer in cases such as these.
Doctor Recommended Detox Diets
          As with any diet plan, it is always better to take advice from doctor recommended Detox diet plans than it is from any other source. You are not interested in witchcraft and potions, you are pursuing better health through the detoxification process. There is a big difference when it comes to Detox diet programs. A Detox diet plan that comes with the recommendation of a physician, as well as physician assisted Detox diet planning, there is a much higher chance of success and overall wellness.
          Don't be fooled into thinking that all Detox diet plans are doctor recommended. One doctor's stamp of approval doesn't really mean anything. When a doctor recommended Detox diet plan has been approved and contributed to by numerous doctors, then you have a little proof in your pudding. Doctor recommended Detox diet plans are actually much less common than most people realize. A specialized Detox diet plan that includes all the basic nutrients your body needs not only to rid itself of toxins, but to operate well during the detoxification process takes vast amounts of research to produce.
Take the Next Step
          So now you're ready to do your homework and find the right Detox diet plan that will work for you. Luckily, most of the research has been done for you. The absolute best bang for your buck Detox diet plan out there today can be found in "detoxmanual".
          The "detoxmanual" a complete guide offers full scale information, as well as a complete Detox diet plan that is founded in medical advice from medical providers. The Detox diet plan offered is not only about half the price of other Detox diet plans, but it is much more comprehensive, and comes with a money back guarantee. You have nothing to lose except the unwanted toxins flowing through your body.

Bobby Ryatt, If you enjoyed reading this articles, then go to my website where I the detox guide. You will have all the information on the subject. The facts will open your eyes and expose some real truths. http://www.detoxmanual.com

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Ryatt

The Grapefruit diet-Does it work?

          The grapefruit diet works in the short-term, but does it have any staying power? In other words, if your goal is to drop weight quickly and gain it all back in a month, then go for it. If, however, your goal is to have lasting weight loss, the grapefruit diet is not for you. Here's why.
          The grapefruit diet has been around for many years. It's been modified slightly over the years, but for the most part, it's the same. The basic diet plan for the grapefruit diet consists of four meals. Breakfast includes a half a grapefruit, three eggs, and two slices of bacon. Lunch is another half a grapefruit, a piece of meat (any kind), and a salad with any type of dressing. Dinner is again, a half a grapefruit, any piece of meat, salad and then added to that a cup of coffee. The last meal isn't really a meal, but either an 8 oz glass of tomato juice or fat-free milk.
          Proponents of the grapefruit diet tout the grapefruit as having a fat-burning enzyme which is why it's added to all but one meal. Grapefruit is a wonderful fruit and a good healthy choice for fruit; but it's not magical! The grapefruit diet helps a person drop weight quickly because it's drastically low in calories. As with most fad diets a gimmick (in this case the grapefruit) is used to promote an extreme cut in calories. The grapefruit diet has a dieter eating around 800 calories per day which is not an adequate amount of calories to consume.

          An average-sized woman who is moderately active needs around 1800-2000 calories per day for the body to function correctly. When the diet is varied and healthful, this 1800-2000 calories brings that woman optimum nutrition in terms of receiving all the recommended daily allowances of important vitamins, minerals and fiber. The grapefruit diet is seriously lacking in fiber, calcium, iron and many other important nutrients.
          Over time, this will cause and contribute to serious nutritional deficiency related problems such as anemia and osteoporosis. The lack of fiber will lead to gastrointestinal problems such as constipation. In addition, fiber has been shown to promote weight loss, lower serum cholesterol and aid in colon cancer prevention.
          So, say hello to a thin body that will fit into the size zero dress, but you might want to pick up some make-up to cover the pale, sickly face you'll be sporting as well! And whoever said a hunched neck as seen in osteoporosis wasn't sexy? Healthy weight loss is not achieved with the grapefruit diet, bottom line! And more than likely, you should keep the tags on the size zero dress because the weight will be back as soon as you start eating normally again.
          Seriously, lasting weight loss consists of slow, steady weight loss resulting from a healthy, varied diet, exercise and patience. The grapefruit diet contains none of these things. Start by figuring out your daily caloric needs for weight maintenance. There are many calorie calculators on the internet that utilize your height, weight, age, sex and activity level to determine the amount of calories needed for weight maintenance.
          Next, realize that one pound of body fat is equivalent to roughly 3500 calories. Healthy weight loss is about one to two pounds per week. Therefore, if you wish to lose one pound per week, you'll need to decrease calorie intake and burn calories to the tune of 500 calories per day. This could be as simple as eliminating dessert at night and taking a brisk 2.5 mile walk. Two pound per week requires a debt of 1000 calories. This should only be achieved through calorie reduction combined with exercise, or you'll be right back to extreme calorie reduction seen in the grapefruit diet. Ramp up that work-out! Go another mile, use the incline, or increase resistance on the elliptical.
Lasting weight loss isn't about gimmicks and fads such as the grapefruit diet. Lasting weight loss requires a person to commit to changing their eating and exercise habits for good.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

From a sickly little girl to a healthy chef to the stars, Darlene Nicholson transformed herself into The "Kick in the Butt" Healthy Lifestyle Expert and creator of the popular DVD "The Healthy Grocery Store Tour". Visit her website http://www.lifechanginghealthysoutions.com or grab a copy of her free ebook "4 Steps to Permanent Weight Loss"...guaranteed to open your eyes to how easy weight loss can be with the right plan of attack. http://free-weightloss-book.com/