Here's how to identify fad diets and other weight-loss scams...

A fad diet is a diet that becomes very popular very quickly and usually falls out of favour very quickly. (For example, Atkins diet, the Low Carb diet, Blood Group diet). These diets sometimes do work for a while, but their success is often short lived. When do you realise that it was perhaps all just a scam?

  1. They promise dramatic, rapid weight loss. (e.g. Lose 10kg in two weeks or your money back).
  2. They rely on testimonies and anecdotes rather than scientific evidence.
  3. They promote diets that are nutritionally unbalanced ( e.g. Avoid all sources of carbohydrates or avoid dairy as it is not compatible with your blood group type).
  4. They use liquid formulas rather than foods (e.g. drink a shake for breakfast, lunch and supper).
  5. They misrepresent salespersons as 'counsellors' or 'nutritionists'. (In South Africa you can only be called a nutritionist by law if you are registered with the HPCSA).
  6. They fail to inform you of the side effects.
  7. They promote unproven or spurious weight-loss aids. (e.g. fat blockers, detoxifying teas).
  8. Recommendations made on a single study.
  9. Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable medical and scientific organisations.
  10. They fail to provide for weight maintenance after the program ends.
  11. Contraindicate what health professionals advise.

To avoid being scammed, remember: if it's too good to be true, it probably is!

Here are more tips on how to spot a fad diet...