Do Fad Diets Work?
Business Today|April 03, 2022
Turning to fad diets may be tempting to those looking for a dramatic drop in weight. But do they work?
Smita Tripathi
Do Fad Diets Work?
IT’S BEEN NEARLY two years since the pandemic started. Two years with most of us glued to our computer screens, binge watching Netflix and stress eating with hardly any exercise. Little wonder, there has been an increase in the number of obese people in the country. As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) findings in November last year, the percentage of overweight women rose from 20.6 per cent to 24 per cent while in men the number increased from 18.9 per cent to 22.9 per cent over the last five years.

The global market for weight loss products and services was valued at $254.9 billion in 2021 and is expected to hit $377.3 billion by 2026

Turning to dieting may be tempting for those looking for a quick fix. Now more than ever before one is spoilt for choice with a variety of dieting options— think Keto, or the splendidly-named Caveman Diet. But do they work? While fad diets focus on reducing calories, the results can be actually counter-intuitive. According to research, eating fewer calories can lead to hormonal changes that may increase appetite and make people crave higher-calorie foods. Some fads even cut out entire food groups, such as gluten, wheat or dairy, which contain nutrients needed for good health. “Any diet that asks you to completely remove any one food group, be it proteins, fats or carbohydrates, is unhealthy. We need all important food groups. We just have to figure out their proportions right. It doesn’t mean that any one of them is dispensable. If they are asking you to remove it, that’s a red flag,” says Delhi-based nutritionist Kavita Devgan, author of The Don’t-Diet Plan.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS TODAYView all
"Focus on the challenge of each customer"
Business Today India

"Focus on the challenge of each customer"

SHASHANK KUMAR MD & CO-FOUNDER I RAZORPAY Razorpay is India's first full-stack financial solutions company

time-read
1 min  |
December 08, 2024
PEDAL ON THE FUTURE
Business Today India

PEDAL ON THE FUTURE

THE MG WINDSOR EV, WITH ITS FUTURISTIC AND MINIMALIST DESIGN, COMBINES THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS-COMFORT AND TECHNOLOGY

time-read
1 min  |
December 08, 2024
BREATHE EASY
Business Today India

BREATHE EASY

Whether you're battling allergies, looking to remove pollutants, or simply want to breathe easier, the right air purifier can make a difference

time-read
2 mins  |
December 08, 2024
The Taste of India in a Glass
Business Today India

The Taste of India in a Glass

FROM ROYAL LIQUEURS TO DISTILLED MAHUA, INDIAN HERITAGE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE HAVING THEIR DAY IN THE SUN

time-read
4 mins  |
December 08, 2024
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Business Today India

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

IN 2025, INVESTORS WILL NEED TO FACTOR IN VOLATILITY ACROSS ASSET CLASSES

time-read
5 mins  |
December 08, 2024
MISSING ADVISORS
Business Today India

MISSING ADVISORS

INDIA HAS JUST ONE INVESTMENT ADVISOR FOR NEARLY EVERY 200,000 INVESTORS. AT A TIME WHEN RETAIL PARTICIPATION IN THE STOCK MARKETS IS BOOMING, THIS ASSUMES SIGNIFICANCE

time-read
7 mins  |
December 08, 2024
TURNING A CORNER
Business Today India

TURNING A CORNER

SHARED ELECTRIC MOBILITY START-UP YULU'S SHIFT TO SERVICING THE QUICK COMMERCE SECTOR IS HELPING IT GROW FAST. IT IS NOW FOCUSSING ON IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY FEATURES AS IT TURNS EBITDA POSITIVE

time-read
5 mins  |
December 08, 2024
REALITY CHECK
Business Today India

REALITY CHECK

INDIAN STOCK MARKETS PLUNGED BEGINNING OCTOBER FOR A HOST OF REASONS, INCLUDING A FALL IN FII OWNERSHIP. HOW DEEP WILL THE CORRECTION BE?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 08, 2024
TRUMP'S TRADE TANGO
Business Today India

TRUMP'S TRADE TANGO

The return of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the US has put the global economy on edge. India, too, is unlikely to remain unaffected. How will policymakers meet this latest challenge?

time-read
9 mins  |
December 08, 2024
"The essence of the Trump administration will be transactional”
Business Today India

"The essence of the Trump administration will be transactional”

Global investor, analyst, and best-selling author Ruchir Sharma decodes why Donald Trump won the elections, what India should do, the risks, and more

time-read
10 mins  |
December 08, 2024