Diet & Fitness 

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5 ways to tell if your diet is safe

With so many different diets out there, how do you find one that not only works but is healthy too? You can start by talking to your friends about what's worked for them, but ultimately you have to choose what works best for you

Next time you're about to begin a diet, ask yourself the 5 questions below. If you answer 'yes' to all 5, the diet is probably safe and worth a try:

1. Does the diet include all food groups? If a diet excludes any group of foods (grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy), you are in danger of missing out on essential vitamins and minerals. Also, a lack of variety of foods will make it hard to continue with this diet long term. Remember that the changes you make to lose weight are the same changes that will maintain your hard-won weight loss.



2. Does the diet restrict calories too severely? Most experts agree that women need at least 1,900 calories each day to maintain a healthy body while men require at least 2,550 calories. And even at those levels, it's almost impossible to obtain all nutrients from the diet. Eating at least 2,000 calories a day is a safe bet for everyone.



3. Does the diet include your favourite foods? For example, diets that completely outlaw sugars are difficult to follow during holidays and celebrations. If your favourite foods aren't included, you may be setting yourself up for failure.



4. Is exercise advised? Research clearly points to the importance of exercise in both losing weight and maintaining weight loss. Diet programmes that promise quick weight loss without exercise are misleading.



5. Does the plan fit your lifestyle and budget? Make sure you thoroughly research a plan before you commit to it. Many slimming programmess require you to buy their own brand of foods, which can add up if you're on a plan for a few months. And some diets may require specific types of foods which can be costly. If you can't afford a plan, you won't be able to stay with it for long.

In addition, the following guidelines should help no matter which diet you decide to follow:

• Go for gradual weight loss. A loss of about two pounds a week (and sometimes a month) is realistic
• People who require more rapid weight loss for health reasons should be under a doctor's supervision
• Be wary of diets that promise quick and easy results but do not require changes in food intake or activity levels.

Want to lose weight but don't know where to start? Discuss the highs and lows of weight loss on our You Can Do It Diet Support message board or take a look at the live discussions taking place there now:

Post a message and join in!

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