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The following article is part of a series brought to you by Project MANA. With the obesity epidemic on the rise, it is important now more than ever that we begin to educate each other about good health and nutrition. This series provides basic health information as well as practical advice to enable our community toward a better overall wellbeing.
Claims like this continue to pervade our media. Magical potions advertised as a quick means towards weight loss can be seen and heard everywhere. And many even have celebrities flaunting their products.
Turn on the TV or flip a page in your magazine and you are likely to see Ana Nicole Smith showing off her recent success with Trim-Spa.
And although most of us would like to believe that we are not caught thinking, "Hey, maybe this one will work for me," sometimes a little piece of us does wonder. But, the truth remains, words like, "miracle," "fast and easy," "secret recipe," or "ancient formula," are not going to lead you to weight-loss and a healthier lifestyle.
Keep the following ideas in mind when reviewing nutrition claims:
á Everything that affects the body functions can have side effects.
á Beware of misleading credentials
á Do not buy products that do not have an ingredients list on the packaging
á Is it healthy? - Does it exclude whole food groups, is it recommending high fat foods or other unhealthy foods?
á Is this a long term lifestyle change or a quick fix?
Look for the research behind the claim:
á Is there research?
á Has it been peer reviewed and published in a professional journal?
á Has there been more than one study supporting the claim?
á Is the science solid?
á Are the claims and goals realistic?
á Who did the study (or wrote the diet)?
Look for a weight-loss program that includes the following:
á Sets realistic goals for the rate of weight loss-for example, one-half to one pound a week.
á Recommends a healthy amount of food without excluding entire food groups - for example, avoid fad diets that tell you to stop eating bread products.
á Encourages moderate exercise behaviors for long term success.
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
In the end, you must find a plan that works best for you and your lifestyle. For some people, cutting out carbs as required on the South Beach Diet works for them, while others cannot last a day. But remember, diets are usually only used for a short period of time. Eventually we find our way back to regular patterns of eating and exercise. In order to have sustaining effects, you must make changes that complement your daily life.
Source: Carter, Rosemary, Jan. 19, 2005. "Ways to Evaluate Nutrition Claims," Current Nutrition Issues and Controversies Affecting Families and Children. University of California Cooperative Extension. Auburn, Calif.
Sarah Levi is the community education coordinator for Project MANA.
Claims like this continue to pervade our media. Magical potions advertised as a quick means towards weight loss can be seen and heard everywhere. And many even have celebrities flaunting their products.
Turn on the TV or flip a page in your magazine and you are likely to see Ana Nicole Smith showing off her recent success with Trim-Spa.
And although most of us would like to believe that we are not caught thinking, "Hey, maybe this one will work for me," sometimes a little piece of us does wonder. But, the truth remains, words like, "miracle," "fast and easy," "secret recipe," or "ancient formula," are not going to lead you to weight-loss and a healthier lifestyle.
Keep the following ideas in mind when reviewing nutrition claims:
á Everything that affects the body functions can have side effects.
á Beware of misleading credentials
á Do not buy products that do not have an ingredients list on the packaging
á Is it healthy? - Does it exclude whole food groups, is it recommending high fat foods or other unhealthy foods?
á Is this a long term lifestyle change or a quick fix?
Look for the research behind the claim:
á Is there research?
á Has it been peer reviewed and published in a professional journal?
á Has there been more than one study supporting the claim?
á Is the science solid?
á Are the claims and goals realistic?
á Who did the study (or wrote the diet)?
Look for a weight-loss program that includes the following:
á Sets realistic goals for the rate of weight loss-for example, one-half to one pound a week.
á Recommends a healthy amount of food without excluding entire food groups - for example, avoid fad diets that tell you to stop eating bread products.
á Encourages moderate exercise behaviors for long term success.
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
In the end, you must find a plan that works best for you and your lifestyle. For some people, cutting out carbs as required on the South Beach Diet works for them, while others cannot last a day. But remember, diets are usually only used for a short period of time. Eventually we find our way back to regular patterns of eating and exercise. In order to have sustaining effects, you must make changes that complement your daily life.
Source: Carter, Rosemary, Jan. 19, 2005. "Ways to Evaluate Nutrition Claims," Current Nutrition Issues and Controversies Affecting Families and Children. University of California Cooperative Extension. Auburn, Calif.
Sarah Levi is the community education coordinator for Project MANA.
