MetroHealth Weight Loss Surgery and Weight Management providers are available at health centers located in Beachwood, Cleveland, Middleburg Heights and Parma. To speak to someone about the right weight loss plan for you, please contact us at 216-778-7433.
Download more information about the Mediterranean and DASH diets.
Feeling a bit heavier after the long winter and looking for a quick way to drop some weight? You may want to think twice before jumping on that new diet trend you’ve been reading about.
“We really don’t encourage patients to follow diet trends because many aren’t proven to be effective and can be hard to follow,” says Jacalyn Iacoboni, advanced practice registered nurse and nurse practitioner in the Division of Weight Management at MetroHealth. “Our focus is to implement healthy lifestyle changes over the long term. There’s no quick fix.”
You may recognize some of these trendy diets from your social media feed:
Ketogenic “Keto” Diet
How It Works
This low-carb, higher-fat and protein diet eliminates grains, legumes and other starchy foods, which the body typically uses for energy. Instead, the liver gets energy from fat through ketosis.
How It Doesn’t Work
Most people are unable to cut out so many carbs permanently, and they tend to gain the weight back, if not more. Also, by taking out an entire food group, it encourages you to eat more animal fat and protein, and too much saturated fat can increase bad cholesterol.
Military Diet
How It Works
This restrictive diet has been around for decades, but there’s still an active interest in it because the eating plan promises to help you drop up to 10 pounds in three days.
How It Doesn’t Work
Initial weight loss is typically water weight. Meals are highly regimented — making the likelihood of cheating high.
Cleanse
How It Works
“There are a ton of herbal supplements that promise to cleanse your liver or kidneys,” says Iacoboni. Juice cleanses, which can last from a few days to a couple of weeks, are also popular.
How It Doesn’t Work
Herbal cleanses aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so potential side effects or interactions with medications are not well-documented. Juice cleanses may not provide enough calories and can lack proteins, fiber and healthy fats.
DNA-based Diet
How It Works
Some consumer DNA companies promote eating plans based on your DNA, or genetic information.
How It Doesn’t Work
While this approach probably won’t cause any harm, there’s no scientific evidence that this helps with weight loss. Also, DNA analysis can be expensive.
Rather than trying a fad diet, Iacoboni suggests following the Mediterranean diet or the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. Both encourage you to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains like oatmeal and quinoa, lean protein like chicken and fish, and healthy fats such as avocado and olive oil. These plans, which focus on moderation and a healthy balance of foods, are more sustainable over the long term. For more information about these plans, download our helpful guide.
MetroHealth Weight Loss Surgery and Weight Management providers are available at health centers located in Beachwood, Cleveland, Middleburg Heights and Parma. To speak to someone about the right weight loss plan for you, please contact our Weight-Loss Surgery and Weight Management Center at 216-778-7433.
