Fight Fad Diets!

IronSmasher
IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
The plan: Use social media to spread a public voice against fad diets that involve food group denial or drastic calorie restriction.

How it works: The way the media and social media works, unless a large group of people are talking about a subject, it will get lost in the noise. The Healthy Food Guide (a magazine) is using a site called Thunderclap, which gathers a large amount of peoples' permission to make a post on their account, all at the same time. The plan is to make it viral. It only posts if enough followers are made (apparently).

It's backed by the British Dietetic Association (I found out about it via their site) and looks legit.



Let's join this and make the public finally aware of these charlatans on MASS!

No more dealing with Dr Oz/Shakeo/Low carb on a post by post basis on MFP!

http://thndr.it/12mIMKv


http://healthyfoodguideuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/fight-fads.html

ONE CLICK TO SUPPORT US If you agree with this statement: ‘I support Healthy Food Guide’s Fight the Fads mission to banish extreme diets and make every meal healthier’, and want to help us spread our message, then go to thunderclap.it on 25 June. You’ll find our campaign in the ‘Health’ category – just click the link to support us (we’re also posting the link on our HFG Facebook and Twitter pages). On 5 August, your pledge will appear on your own Facebook page or Twitter feed with our message. Job done!
«1

Replies

  • SpecialSundae
    SpecialSundae Posts: 795 Member
    What a great campaign and I've clicked to support already.

    Anyone who knows me knows that I loathe fad diets, so it's nice to see an authoritative source starting a campaign.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    I appreciate the idea, but the HFG blog says to not eat certain white foods and I can't support that.
  • plantboy2
    plantboy2 Posts: 224 Member
    Great idea - I'll endorse it
  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    This may be well intentioned or it may be trying to get a site's visit count to spike; I am not sure. Either way, this has less chance of success than a fad diet. I have mixed feelings on that subject, BTW. If you are obese or severely overweight, they almost certainly will not work for you. But for most of my adult life I kept a healthy weight most of the time but still had it rise 10-15 over the course of a year or two several times. I did a fad diet around New Years probably 10 times over the course of 15 years and each time it worked. When I got substantially overweight it was because I did not do it that time until I was too far from the target.
  • fleetzz
    fleetzz Posts: 962 Member
    Since I went from 167 in January to 134 today (5 months) on a low carb diet, and it took me 3.5 YEARS to lose 35 lb on a traditional diet, and since you are calling low carb a fad diet, I can't support it.
  • SpecialSundae
    SpecialSundae Posts: 795 Member
    This may be well intentioned or it may be trying to get a site's visit count to spike; I am not sure. Either way, this has less chance of success than a fad diet. I have mixed feelings on that subject, BTW. If you are obese or severely overweight, they almost certainly will not work for you. But for most of my adult life I kept a healthy weight most of the time but still had it rise 10-15 over the course of a year or two several times. I did a fad diet around New Years probably 10 times over the course of 15 years and each time it worked. When I got substantially overweight it was because I did not do it that time until I was too far from the target.

    You can lose weight without doing a fad diet. Eating a bit less and moving more isn't a fad diet; eating next to nothing or from a limited selection of foods is fad dieting.
  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    This may be well intentioned or it may be trying to get a site's visit count to spike; I am not sure. Either way, this has less chance of success than a fad diet. I have mixed feelings on that subject, BTW. If you are obese or severely overweight, they almost certainly will not work for you. But for most of my adult life I kept a healthy weight most of the time but still had it rise 10-15 over the course of a year or two several times. I did a fad diet around New Years probably 10 times over the course of 15 years and each time it worked. When I got substantially overweight it was because I did not do it that time until I was too far from the target.

    You can lose weight without doing a fad diet. Eating a bit less and moving more isn't a fad diet; eating next to nothing or from a limited selection of foods is fad dieting.
    Well my favorite back then was the cabbage soup diet, which is definitely a fad filled with days of next to nothing. It was easy for me as I really do love cabbage (and bananas - I always looked forward to the banana day :laugh: ). I had people tell me it was all water weight, which I never understood since I would typically lose 15 and keep it off at least a year, maybe two. It's just one way some people who stay at healthy weights operate. If the string is short enough, that sort of yoyoing does no harm.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    I appreciate the idea, but the HFG blog says to not eat certain white foods and I can't support that.

    I think you mean the tip to encourage people to eat whole grain?
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    This may be well intentioned or it may be trying to get a site's visit count to spike; I am not sure. Either way, this has less chance of success than a fad diet. I have mixed feelings on that subject, BTW. If you are obese or severely overweight, they almost certainly will not work for you. But for most of my adult life I kept a healthy weight most of the time but still had it rise 10-15 over the course of a year or two several times. I did a fad diet around New Years probably 10 times over the course of 15 years and each time it worked. When I got substantially overweight it was because I did not do it that time until I was too far from the target.

    You can lose weight without doing a fad diet. Eating a bit less and moving more isn't a fad diet; eating next to nothing or from a limited selection of foods is fad dieting.
    Well my favorite back then was the cabbage soup diet, which is definitely a fad filled with days of next to nothing. It was easy for me as I really do love cabbage (and bananas - I always looked forward to the banana day :laugh: ). I had people tell me it was all water weight, which I never understood since I would typically lose 15 and keep it off at least a year, maybe two. It's just one way some people who stay at healthy weights operate. If the string is short enough, that sort of yoyoing does no harm.

    Yes I expect the magazine is expecting more public recognition, name a company that takes part in a good cause anonymously?

    I don't think they're targeting short string yo-yoing, I think they're targeting poor, pseudo-scientific advice and the selling products at the expense of the public's health and understanding of health.

    Maybe I'm just an optimist.
  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    Yes I expect the magazine is expecting more public recognition, name a company that takes part in a good cause anonymously?

    I don't think they're targeting short string yo-yoing, I think they're targeting poor, pseudo-scientific advice and the selling products at the expense of the public's health and understanding of health.

    Maybe I'm just an optimist.
    Good one - if they did it anonymously, I obviously can't name them. :bigsmile:

    As far as selling products goes, I am in agreement, but it is awfully hard to know where to draw the line between protein powder and other nutrient based supplements and the miracle fat melt stuff. Those two extremes are easy; it's where to draw the line in between that's hard.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Yes I expect the magazine is expecting more public recognition, name a company that takes part in a good cause anonymously?

    I don't think they're targeting short string yo-yoing, I think they're targeting poor, pseudo-scientific advice and the selling products at the expense of the public's health and understanding of health.

    Maybe I'm just an optimist.
    Good one - if they did it anonymously, I obviously can't name them. :bigsmile:

    As far as selling products goes, I am in agreement, but it is awfully hard to know where to draw the line between protein powder and other nutrient based supplements and the miracle fat melt stuff. Those two extremes are easy; it's where to draw the line in between that's hard.

    I know. I was considering a sarcastic approval, with the addition of betting John Bishop managed to sell a few more dvds after his Sports Relief Challenge!
    http://metro.co.uk/2012/03/02/john-bishop-completes-week-from-hell-triathlon-for-sport-relief-338950/

    I know it's hard.
    It's a mess.
    The diets, the supplements, the exercise plans.

    EU law is trying to make standards of food supplement legislation, but that's been going on forever. Trading standards don't seem to be doing anything...
    I see public awareness and education as the only solution.
  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    I see public awareness and education as the only solution.
    Returning to your earlier point, I heartily concur that you are extremely optimistic!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Is there one for exercise fads ?
  • vinnyo27
    vinnyo27 Posts: 3
    great idea i clicked too
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Since I went from 167 in January to 134 today (5 months) on a low carb diet, and it took me 3.5 YEARS to lose 35 lb on a traditional diet, and since you are calling low carb a fad diet, I can't support it.

    Agreed...besides who defines what the "fad" diets are????

    anything that leads to a healthier lifestyle in general is alright in my books.
  • endoftheside
    endoftheside Posts: 568 Member
    Nice cheap marketing campaign for their business. It will be interesting to see who falls for it.
  • NonnyMary
    NonnyMary Posts: 982 Member
    Well, I clicked on the website, and for the most part i can agree. however, I do not think white rice is evil and I also eat in front of the tv since i dont have room for a kitchen table. I dont need to restrict my eating in front of the tv... because there always is an evilly delicious bunch of restaurants right around the corner from me which unfortunately did me in over this last few days sheesh.. but i dont see her make a ban on that one.
  • SpecialSundae
    SpecialSundae Posts: 795 Member
    Nice cheap marketing campaign for their business. It will be interesting to see who falls for it.

    Falls for it? That suggests that this is preying on gullibility rather than acting as public information.

    Not all marketing is against the public interest. Would you describe the 50% more women who went to see their doctor after this marketing campaign as "falling for it"?

    _66609600_breastcancer.jpg

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-21937746
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Since I went from 167 in January to 134 today (5 months) on a low carb diet, and it took me 3.5 YEARS to lose 35 lb on a traditional diet, and since you are calling low carb a fad diet, I can't support it.

    Agreed...besides who defines what the "fad" diets are????

    anything that leads to a healthier lifestyle in general is alright in my books.

    It was me that called low carb a fad diet. We're not talking about individuals receiving expert diet prescription here, we're talking about quick fixes being sold to the masses.

    I guess it's up to public opinion or the individual using the term that defines what a fad diet is.
    In my definition, it's a quick fix solution that cannot be maintained, and has a cult following as opposed to any scientific merit.
    A fad diet, to me, does not lead to a healthier lifestyle.
  • gillz89
    gillz89 Posts: 81 Member
    Since I went from 167 in January to 134 today (5 months) on a low carb diet, and it took me 3.5 YEARS to lose 35 lb on a traditional diet, and since you are calling low carb a fad diet, I can't support it.

    Agreed...besides who defines what the "fad" diets are????

    anything that leads to a healthier lifestyle in general is alright in my books.

    Agreed I also can't support...low carb is the only thing that has worked for me and I don't see it as a fad...it's a lifestyle change.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Well, I clicked on the website, and for the most part i can agree. however, I do not think white rice is evil and I also eat in front of the tv since i dont have room for a kitchen table. I dont need to restrict my eating in front of the tv... because there always is an evilly delicious bunch of restaurants right around the corner from me which unfortunately did me in over this last few days sheesh.. but i dont see her make a ban on that one.

    You know what, you're right.
    I could agree with the most part too, but not every one of their tips agreed with me as an individual and my lifestyle, so I'm going to give up learning about diet and exercise and start an Isagenix cleanse tomorrow!

    Who's with me?!



    Just kidding. They didn't ban anything. It was just a tip to try to encourage healthy habits. I hope you find the perfect solution for your journey :flowerforyou:
    There are plenty of tips on websites for making healthier choices when eating out. In my experience, the staff are always happy to prepare your food the way you want as long as you ask nicely.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Not all marketing is against the public interest. Would you describe the 50% more women who went to see their doctor after this marketing campaign as "falling for it"?
    Quite possibly. If it was about breast cancer screening I would question how many surgical procedures and drug regimes came to be used on people who would never have been affected by breast cancer.

    Breast cancer screening is not universally acknowledged as a good thing.
  • ngyoung
    ngyoung Posts: 311 Member
    Since I went from 167 in January to 134 today (5 months) on a low carb diet, and it took me 3.5 YEARS to lose 35 lb on a traditional diet, and since you are calling low carb a fad diet, I can't support it.


    Same here. Low-carb eating isn't a fad it is more of a rejection of the USDA's low-fat junk science food pyramid recommendations that have had no effect on obesity in America.
  • momzeeee
    momzeeee Posts: 475 Member
    Since I lost my weight doing a 'fad' diet (alternate day IF), I'll pass :wink:
  • rowanwood
    rowanwood Posts: 509 Member
    Oh look, another thread where everyone misses the point.
  • marinebiologist_girl
    marinebiologist_girl Posts: 300
    Count me in
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Not all marketing is against the public interest. Would you describe the 50% more women who went to see their doctor after this marketing campaign as "falling for it"?
    Quite possibly. If it was about breast cancer screening I would question how many surgical procedures and drug regimes came to be used on people who would never have been affected by breast cancer.

    Breast cancer screening is not universally acknowledged as a good thing.

    Does it make a difference if, in the country the advert ran, screening, surgery, drugs, consultation and all treatment is free?
    They tend not to waste their own time and money on unnecessary treatments here.
  • 4_Lisa
    4_Lisa Posts: 362 Member
    Done!

    I don't necessarily agree with all of it, but there is definitely benefit to the campaign. Awareness and education are powerful tools for a healthy lifestyle.

    I have lots of friends doing many different methods, so far none have been successful at keeping it off.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Awesome thanks for sharing!
  • 4_Lisa
    4_Lisa Posts: 362 Member
    Since I went from 167 in January to 134 today (5 months) on a low carb diet, and it took me 3.5 YEARS to lose 35 lb on a traditional diet, and since you are calling low carb a fad diet, I can't support it.

    I've lost 62 lbs since November through a traditional balanced diet. It can be done, I haven't cut anything out... including pastas, bread or beer!

Categories