What Weight-Loss Fad Diets Don’t Tell You

“Lose 5 pounds a week just by drinking this smoothie once a day!” Sounds too good to be true, right? That’s because it is.

Fad diets make unrealistic and unsustainable promises that are, ultimately, not only unhealthy – they can be actively detrimental to your health! That’s why we’re here to shed some light on what weight-loss fad diets don’t tell you! We’ll even explain how to live healthier and lose weight with Obalon, so read on!

What is a Fad Diet?

A fad diet is a “quick-fix” program that promises weight loss and other benefits without widely accepted basis in science or medical research. This is often achieved through restrictive or unexpected food choices. Fad diets go hand-in-hand with “yo-yo dieting,” the cycle of losing and regaining weight. This fluctuation ultimately tends to end in weight gain, due to its unsustainability.

Fad Diets Send You into “Starvation Mode”

Denied Nutrients

Fad diets tend to be ineffective, but occasionally do help people shed pounds quickly – because they rely on unsafe techniques. Dieters are required to focus on specific types of food or to avoid certain options altogether. Although people can lose weight this way, they are doing more harm than good. We need to eat well-balanced meals to ensure our bodies receive all the vitamins they need. These fads remove nutrients from our diets, leading to decreased wellness and long-term weight gain.

Slower Metabolism

Our bodies don’t recognize poor nutrition as “dieting,” they see it as “starving” and make biological changes in order to protect us. An article following participants on The Biggest Loser noted that our bodies respond negatively to a lack of vitamins. Although their short-term successes have been documented on TV, most contestants have gained weight in the long run. Why? Our bodies develop more fat to sustain us through future starvation periods by slowing down our metabolisms to maintain a heavier weight. As yo-yo diets foster this ebb and flow, our bodies trend towards gaining more, resulting in a heavier weight in the long-term. This is why doctors don’t recommend skipping meals or trying “cleanses,” instead developing sustainable habits for continued success.

Beware of Diet Pills

It’s important to be wary of “miracle solutions” and anything promising “quick and easy weight loss.” Just like fad diets, diet pills are not as safe as they sound.

Although they are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), supplements are classified as a “food,” meaning their regulations are less stringent than prescription medications. A recent study from the Regis University of Denver revealed some of the dangers of these pills. They sampled products from retail chains within 10 miles of their campus. They ultimately found 51 different products that contained substances regarded as dangerous or even banned by the FDA.

Since diet pills are unregulated, some combinations have proven to be lethal. One product, Ephedra, was used by a group of soldiers, leading to dozens of deaths and the banning of all diet pills on military bases.

But all this begs the question: how should we lose weight?

How Do You Lose Weight Healthily?

The main problem with fad diets is that people only lose weight while they’re dieting. When they stop following their program, the weight starts to come back. If we really want to lose weight an keep it off, we need to make long-term lifestyle changes!

By changing our habits, we can lose and then maintain our lower weight by sticking to these changes. By eating well and exercising, maintaining a healthy weight becomes a basic part of our lives, as opposed to something we need to stress about or dread! Want some help? We’ve provided tips for the whole family!

Choose Better Health; Choose Obalon!

The Obalon balloon system is built to help people lose weight safely, live healthier, and maintain their weight loss long-term. Their swallowable balloons fill space in the stomach for 6 months, helping reduce feelings of hunger in patients, even while they eat less food. During this period, patients develop habits that promote better health and improved quality of life, which helps them keep their healthy lifestyle going long after the balloons are removed. Learn more about this revolutionary procedure here! Patients can be confident in what they learn about gastric balloons from NYBG because we are the #1 Obalon Balloon practice in the United States!

COME TO NYBG.

When it’s time to start a successful weight-loss journey, it’s time to call NYBG! We’re the best practice around and our numbers prove it:

  • 9 skilled surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics
  • 15,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
  • The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
  • 24/7 access to online seminars
  • 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
  • Since 2000, we boast 18 years of success!

Our commitment to patient success and excellence has earned us accreditation from the Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This prestigious achievement recognizes only the top bariatric practices. Stop waiting; start achieving better health today.

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What Weight-Loss Fad Diets Don’t Tell You

Thomas

Lost 145lbs

Thomas' success story

I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man.

Everybody treated me like a king. The day of surgery, I was excited. The hospital couldn’t be any nicer. I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man. My recovery was awesome. I was out of bed that day. My wife and kids were my motivation on getting this surgery. They are my whole life. I’m happy I’m going to be around for them.

Listen to Thomas’ testimonial

Nicole

Lost 76lbs

Nicole's success story

I hit my goal weight ... and I feel fabulous

I had the gastric bypass. I am Type 2 Diabetic and I wanted to gain control of my sugar. I hit my goal weight in about 5 and half months and I feel fabulous. The procedure has completely changed my life for the better because it has empowered me as a middle aged woman that I can really do everything and anything that I want to do. I don't put an age on anything. I don't say I'm too old for something.

Listen to Nicole’s testimonial

Robert

Lost 76lbs

Robert's success story

I was tired of the way I looked. I was tired of the way I felt.

I knew if I didn't change something soon, I was going to be in a lot of trouble. The consultation process was a lot easier than I expected. I was met with open arms. I was treated like I was the only patient here. Not only did they answer all of my questions, they had questions for me to make sure I was the right candidate for the surgery. After surgery and that weight started dropping off, my life started changing for the better.

Listen to Robert’s testimonial

Samantha

Lost 92lbs

Samantha's success story

I feel like a completely different person.

I had the gastric sleeve procedure. The driving factor behind me getting this procedure was my health. I didn't feel good physically or mentally. I had joint pains, even standing was difficult sometimes. Emotionally, this surgery completely turned my life around. I have so much more confidence. So much more happiness. I feel like a completely different person. I feel stronger. I feel able to accomplish more.

Listen to Samantha’s testimonial

Eileen

Lost 99lbs

Eileen's success story

It saved my life.

The driving factor behind me getting my procedure was that I couldn't get up off the floor with my granddaughter. That was my why. That was my big reason for having this surgery done. After surgery, it was a little bit of a struggle with what to eat. What you put in your mouth that you don't even think about. You don't think about what you're eating or how you're eating and portion size. It's what I do now every single day. The procedure has changed my life in so many ways. It saved my life.

Listen to Eileen’s testimonial

Brittany

Lost 126lbs

Brittany's success story

I am totally comfortable in my own skin.

I think I always grew up identifying myself as less than other people because I was fat. I decided to tackle that and just live my life. I had a sleeve gastrectomy. It changed how I view myself. How I communicate with people. I'm able to be much more of myself and live the life I always thought I should have been living. I am totally comfortable in my own skin. You have the tools you need to succeed here.

Listen to Brittany’s testimonial

Desiree

Lost 157lbs

Desiree's success story

I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before.

I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy because I had just become diabetic, and I had hypertension for many years. I lost a total of 157 pounds in 11 months. I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before. Everyone at New York Bariatric Group has been wonderful. They are kind. They are understanding. They make you feel comfortable. They will guide you every step of the way on your journey so that you can be successful.

Listen to Desiree’s testimonial

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