Eat Smart Blog

Commercial diets are readily available and insanely popular. Weight loss seekers can take their pick from a plump list of on-the-market diet “solutions” that promise impressive results. But here’s the skinny on that plump list: diets don’t work. While some may provide temporary results, no diet can truly provide a lasting weight loss solution. There’s no “magic bullet” for losing weight – no diet, no pill, no program, no exercise (solely) will result in lasting weight loss. Getting slim and staying fit is hard work and requires constant attention.

Don’t let the marvelous marketing tactics of diet companies tempt you. Over the past few decades, there has been no shortage of promises made by companies selling products that can only temporarily trim inches. Keep in mind, Graphite isn’t suggesting any of the products mentioned are flawed. We are, however, suggesting that in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which might include a slimmer body size, a combination of healthy eating and exercise is necessary. Take a look at some of these diet fads that once were, or now are, widely successful:

The Atkins Diet
Weight Watchers
The South Beach Diet
Jenny Craig
Nutrisystem
The Grapefruit Diet (aka The Hollywood Diet)
The Detox Diet
The Cabbage Soup Diet
Hydroxycut
Quick Trim

The weight-maintenance-related industry is big business. Popular celebrities like Kim Kardashian (for Quick Trim), Valerie Bertinelli (for Jenny Craig), and Jennifer Hudson (for Weight Watchers) represent, and endorse, the industry as paid product spokespeople. Kirstie Alley, infamous for her yo-yo weight gains and losses, now has her own diet product called “Organic Liaison.” With consumers spending a lot of money on products, it’s no surprise that Alley, former Jenny Craig spokesmodel, wants her piece of the diet fad pie.

Don’t fall for a gimmick. Stick to what works. There is no substitute for tracking calories, and burning more of those calories each day than you consume. And that’s no fad.

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With “healthy eating” becoming a nearly $40 billion trend, it’s no surprise that manufacturers of food products are walking a fine line between legal and deceptive advertising. You won’t be hard pressed to find a product that claims “clinical research shows that eating this food can lower your cholesterol” or “this food helps you lose weight.” Natasha Singer writes about some companies that have taken claims a bit too far in a recent New York Times article.

Just turn on your television, flip through your favorite magazine, or open your refrigerator door. You’ll have no trouble finding a food that will surely help you live longer, better, or stronger – well, according to the advertising at least. Many of the most well-known companies, like General Mills and Kellogg, are marketing their products’ so-called health benefits by sometimes making inflated claims.

It’s important to note that these companies don’t claim that their products prevent or cure diseases – making such a suggestion would be against federal regulations. But take a peek at the fine line between legal and deceptive, and you’ll find a crowd of companies carefully, but not so gracefully, dancing.

One of our favorite mentions in the article was about a very well-known beverage – Welch’s 100% Grape Juice. The packaging for this tasty drink proudly sports the coveted “red heart” from the American Heart Association – a glossy accessory that probably costs more than a pretty penny. Here’s what’s most intriguing about the juice: with 36 grams of sugar, Welch's 100% Grape Juice has more sugar than a regular-sized Snickers candy bar (with 30 grams of sugar). Although we’re certainly not suggesting that you ditch the bottle for the bar, we are suggesting that consumers should examine food labels a little more closely, not rely solely on endorsements from “experts.”

The aptly titled “Food With Benefits, or So They Say” goes on to talk about steps regulatory agencies are taking to better protect consumers. The Federal Trade Commission, for example, filed complaints against Kellogg for its Frosted Mini-Wheats breakfast cereal and against Dannon for its Activia yogurt product. More recently, the makers of Pom Wonderful have faced scrutiny because of claims made in product advertising.

Check out the article to read about the ongoing battle between the government and multi-billion dollar companies.

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The New York Times recently published an article about the newly released “nutrition plate” guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture. The new design replaces the outdated, but well known, food pyramid and has been aptly titled “MyPlate.”

Mrs. Obama and her anti-obesity team worked with the Agriculture Department on creating the new design. The article quotes the first lady stating, “This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we’re eating.”

ChooseMyPlate.gov makes suggestions about what and how much to eat. For example, the website suggests that half of a regular meal should consist of a combination of fruits and vegetables. The actual amount of each food group a person should consume will depend on individual age, sex, and physical activity. Conveniently, the department’s new website includes charts listing suggested portion size based on those individual characteristics.

The combination of the department’s suggested guidelines and Graphite’s easy-to-use tools makes leading a healthier lifestyle a challenge-free mission. Check out the Department of Agriculture’s website to plan your meals, then track your diet using Graphite’s tools. Record the amount of exercise you get, and routinely monitor your results. To reach your wellness goals, make necessary adjustments to your lifestyle on an as-needed basis.

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