A recent study shows that people who drink diet soda on a daily basis are more likely to gain weight, over a ten year period, than those who drink no soda at all. Clearly, the concept of 'diet' soda - soda with little or no sugar, fat or calories - is backfiring. If diet soda actually makes you fatter, could the same be true of other 'diet' products?
Actually, this does seem to be the case. Other studies show that 'lite' products - products specially formulated to be lower in fat and calories - also do not cause weight loss in the long term. In fact, some studies suggest that they cause you to gain weight. Why might this be true?
In one way, these studies may be skewed. After all, people who are drawn to diet sodas or 'lite' products in the first place are the same people that have significant weight to lose. And this means that they are more likely to have a weight problem, and that they are more likely to gain weight over any given period of time. All that is proven, then, is that the diet and 'lite' products don't work, not that they actually make you gain weight at all.
On the other hand, some experts feel that these products do actually 'backfire' and do cause weight gain - not loss - in the long term. Here are the main reasons why they might do so -
First, these products may lull you into a false sense of security. Studies show that if people drink diet soda instead or regular soda or alcoholic beverages, they tend to more than make up for the calories they have 'saved' by simply eating more. Over time, of course, the reduced calories from the diet drink is more than made up for by the fact that you've eaten more food.
The same is true for diet and 'lite' snacks - because they are designed to be low fat or low calorie, we tend to eat more at other meals if we have already eaten 'diet' foods that day. It's almost as though people feel they have 'done' their weight loss regimen just by buying and eating these foods. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Though these foods may well be lower in fat and calories, they still take their toll - often without adding much to your daily nutrition.
The other reason why people tend to eat more of these 'diet' products is that they are less satisfying than other foods. As a result, we eat more of them than we would of a similar product if it were full calorie. For one thing, a diet cookie or chip is usually smaller than an equivalent product were it full-calorie. So, relying on the fat that it is a 'diet' product, we just eat more of them to feel satisfied. This may also be due to the fact that people who are buying these products are already on a restricted diet. If your diet is restricted and boring, you may well be tempted to overindulge on foods that are 'good' or that are 'allowed' according to your eating plan.
So, all things considered, one good piece of diet and weight loss advice is, ironically enough, to avoid 'diet' foods. Of course, there are exceptions - now and then, for example, a 'diet' chocolate bar from weight watchers may get you through a craving without doing too much damage. Over time, however, if you make a habit of eating mainly diet foods, you aren't doing yourself any favors.
That brings us down to the question of what is good diet advice - what should you be eating to lose weight? One easy rule to follow is to eat food that is as close as possible to its natural form - food that has been minimally processed, if at all.
You might also want to reduce the amount that you eat. Eat what you like, in other words, but reduce the amount by 25% or so. If you eat at a restaurant, share an entrée, or have the waiter put half of it in a take away container for you. At home, get some smaller plates, to give yourself the illusion of having eaten more than you really have. Follow these simple tips for long term weight loss.
Weight Loss The Group Approach
The first element is the grading of foods according to points....
weight_loss__the_group_approach.php
The Most Natural Way To Lose Weight
Geneen Roth, an author who has written many books about self-regulated eating, says ...
the_most_natural_way_to_lose_weight.php
Contact Us
...
contact_us.php
The Mediterranean Diet Lose Weight Without Sacrificing Taste
It all comes down to great tasting, natural food....
the_mediterranean_diet__lose_weight_without_sacrificing_taste.php
The Raw Foods Diet For Health And Weight Loss
Needless to say, the raw foods diet is a vegetarian diet. In fact, it contains no animal products at all, ...
the_raw_foods_diet_for_health_and_weight_loss.php
Just Add A Carrot For Great Weight Loss
So you start looking at weight loss plans - but that, too, presents a...
just_add_a_carrot_for_great_weight_loss.php
Effective Weight Loss For Todays Busy Lifestyle
If you have a lot of weight to lose, actually doin...
effective_weight_loss_for_todays_busy_lifestyle.php
Losing Weight With The Body For Life Program
This is a program that combines a specialized diet consisting of five carefully b...
losing_weight_with_the_body_for_life_program.php
Lose Weight By Eating For Your Blood Type Fad Or Fact
Some experts started to link this to blood type. There are four main...
lose_weight_by_eating_for_your_blood_type__fad_or_fact.php
The Easiest Ways To Lose Weight
At the same time, the desire to be thin and fit has never been stronger. Advertising and images in ...
the_easiest_ways_to_lose_weight.php
Easy Weight Loss Small Steps That Make A Big Difference
Still, when you think about it in terms of a concrete plan to lose weight, it can be ve...
easy_weight_loss__small_steps_that_make_a_big_difference.php
A New Diet Pill For Weight Loss And Better Health
The new generation of diet pills is much different. Nowadays, people are more likely to take 'natural'...
a_new_diet_pill_for_weight_loss_and_better_health.php
Low Fat Eating A Lifelong Diet Plan
That sort of advice would be ridiculed today, and maybe that's understandable. But the low fat approach to eating and w...
low_fat_eating__a_lifelong_diet_plan.php
Sustained Weight Loss With Linoleic Acid
Of course, the ideal is this: you embark on a weight loss program, but instead of seeing it as a temporar...
sustained_weight_loss_with_linoleic_acid.php
Historical Approaches To Weight Loss And Healthy Eating
Today, we have made nutrition a science; we think that our experts know the secrets to healthy eating. ...
historical_approaches_to_weight_loss_and_healthy_eating.php
Is Your Body Image Realistic
By now, we are all well aware of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Though th...
is_your_body_image_realistic.php
Lose Weight In A Controlled Environment
The trick is to allow yourself to experience succes...
lose_weight_in_a_controlled_environment.php
Weight Gain And Weight Loss The Psychological Ramifications
The third variable is psychological, and it may even ...
weight_gain_and_weight_loss__the_psychological_ramifications.php
Lose Weight With Chromium Supplements
Chromium is a natural supplement that is very helpful in...
lose_weight_with_chromium_supplements.php
Overhaul Your Eating Habits Substitute Flavor For Fat
An alcoholic can give up drinking by just never taking a drink again - it's hard, but at ...
overhaul_your_eating_habits__substitute_flavor_for_fat.php
Home Delivery Service For Convenience And Weight Loss
For some of us, in fact, the problem isn't sticking to a d...
home_delivery_service_for_convenience_and_weight_loss.php
Losing Weight With The Highprotein Approach
High protein eating is a bit controversial, because some critics claim that it can be too high in satura...
losing_weight_with_the_highprotein_approach.php
Lose Weight By Eating The Right Carbs
Why, then, are grains at the top of many government eating charts (ie. they are the things we s...
lose_weight_by_eating_the_right_carbs.php
Reward Yourself For Weight Loss Successes
Some diet plans incorporate a 'reward meal' once a week or once every ten days. If you are following a restricte...
reward_yourself_for_weight_loss_successes.php
Weight Loss With Traditional Foods
On the other hand, it's also true that few if any trad...
weight_loss_with_traditional_foods.php
Eating Binges A Fact Of Human Life
However, many experts have commented that dieting or r...
eating_binges__a_fact_of_human_life.php
Lose Weight With Hypnosis
If you start off okay and then hit a plateau in your w...
lose_weight_with_hypnosis.php
Lose Weight With Yoga
Yoga is a system of exercise that is thousands of years old. Conceived in India, it is now practiced world wide....
lose_weight_with_yoga.php
Water The Simplest Weight Loss Tool Of All
But did you know that drinking enough water can also help you lose weight? It's not a miracle cur...
water__the_simplest_weight_loss_tool_of_all.php
The No White Foods Diet
So here, then, is a quick, easy solution to y...
the_no_white_foods_diet.php
Lose Weight With The South Beach Diet
What are 'good' carbohydrates? Basically, good carbohydrates are those that are close to their natu...
lose_weight_with_the_south_beach_diet.php
Meal Replacements For Weight Loss How Good An Idea Are They
But if that's the case, it's easy to see why this addiction might be harder to treat than some...
meal_replacements_for_weight_loss__how_good_an_idea_are_they.php
Using Visualization For Weight Loss
This is a method that is gaining increased acceptance nowadays, even though mainstr...
using_visualization_for_weight_loss.php
The Planned Binge As A Weight Control Measure
It may surprise you to know, then, that many people who are at a normal, healthy weight are not immune to...
the_planned_binge_as_a_weight_control_measure.php
Affirmations For Weight Loss
What are affirmations? They are simple statements that you re...
affirmations_for_weight_loss.php
Personalize Your Weight Loss Plan
This is an idea that's rapidly catching on. Companies such as L.A. Weight Loss and several others are takin...
personalize_your_weight_loss_plan.php
Mind Over Matter Weight Loss
Consider a parallel - another problem that many people struggle with - quit...
mind_over_matter_weight_loss.php
Lose Weight Fast With A Homeopathic Patch
Homeopathy works on the principle of 'like cure...
lose_weight_fast_with_a_homeopathic_patch.php
Lose Weight With The Semolina Diet
In the meantime, eating plans that promise to help you lose weight by...
lose_weight_with_the_semolina_diet.php
Lose Weight With Long Distance Walking One Step At A Time
So by all means, if you need to start small, do so. Just start - walk a couple of blo...
lose_weight_with_long_distance_walking__one_step_at_a_time.php
Weight Loss The Sleep Prescription
One key component seems to be sleep. We all know how impor...
weight_loss__the_sleep_prescription.php
Losing Pregnancy Weight
Though experts recommend that a woman gain no more than...
losing_pregnancy_weight.php
Lose Weight With A Biannual Cleanse
For many of us, it's unrealistic to avoid the ...
lose_weight_with_a_biannual_cleanse.php
Lose Weight With A Natural Weight Loss Remedy
Though there are those that swear by it, at this point, there is a bit ...
lose_weight_with_a_natural_weight_loss_remedy.php
Resources
...
resources.php
Discover Your Food Allergies And Accelerate Weight Loss
But what does this have to do with weight loss? Studies show that food allergies are a leading cause of wei...
discover_your_food_allergies_and_accelerate_weight_loss.php
The Rule Of Three Easy Weight Loss Like You Wont Believe
Here's how it works - both in real life, and in theory. You're trying hard to reduce your fat and calories, a...
the_rule_of_three__easy_weight_loss_like_you_wont_believe.php
The Importance Of Saying No And What It Has To Do With Weight Loss
Geneen Roth is also interested in examining the psychological cau...
the_importance_of_saying_no__and_what_it_has_to_do_with_weight_loss.php
Weight Loss Surgery A Lastditch Option That Saves Lives
A small percentage of people, however, have already 'tried everything' and f...
weight_loss_surgery__a_lastditch_option_that_saves_lives.php
Natural Diet Pills For Weight Loss How Safe Are They
Nowadays, those types of diet pills still exist, but the...
natural_diet_pills_for_weight_loss__how_safe_are_they.php
Links
...
links.php
Easy Weight Loss For Dog Lovers
For one thing, a dog requires a minimum of one hour a day of walking - and that's every day...
easy_weight_loss_for_dog_lovers.php