Dieting in America: An Unhealthy Habit Joshua Keith Gary
DeVry University
English 135
February 24, 2012
Tara Houston

Dieting in America: An Unhealthy Habit
Every year millions of Americans make a New Year’s resolution to begin a strict diet to lose weight and be healthier. Every year, many of those same people chose a one-size-fits-all fad diet and flunk out with in just a few short months, with some calling it quits within weeks. The truth is there is no such thing as the perfect diet for all consumers, yet we still follow the media, celebrities, and coworkers down the road of the most popular fad diet that promises the quickest gains. In the end we spend billions of dollars on these diets and all the accessories that come with them, such as expensive gym memberships and hyped up supplements, and the results are minimal at best. Dieting in America has become a mainstream, profit generating habit that can be unhealthy and costly; educating the public on alternative eating habits and supplemental lifestyle choices can lead to healthier individuals and outweigh the marginal benefits of dieting alone.
American’s are competitive by nature, and never want to be left behind. Mainstream dieting has been around for decades, growing more and more popular as our ways to reach out to more consumers grow. I can remember being a child, listening to my mother and aunts discuss New Year’s resolutions that always included dieting. Back then we only had the evening news, newspapers, and telephones. Today we cannot escape the onslaught of social media, and one would be lucky to maneuver the checkout line at CVS without picking up a magazine listing the hottest diet, offered by the hottest model.
A current website dedicated to tracking popular fad diets carries the slogan “30 Was To
Lose The Same 5 Pounds” (Nardone, 2011). Literally, this website lists scores of popular diets that people have tried and also apologizes for not helping readers lose weight. There are many more resources much like this and we are surrounded by them. Social pressure can impose heavily on our subconscious and the motivating factors to follow the general public in fad dieting rituals are broad and far reaching. Men and women alike chose all sorts of reasons to undertake a crash diet, with weddings, reunions, and interviews being prominent examples. We really need to understand what a fad diet is and how it can be categorized. According to an article on www.livestrong.com, “If you are trying to lose weight, you may be enticed by diets that claim they can help you lose a lot of weight in a short period of time or without a lot of effort. Many of these diets are called fad or crash diets because they aren't diets that you can follow for a lifetime and you will likely gain back any weight you lost once you are off the diet” (Holly, 2011, par. 4). As soon as we hear the word diet, we get hungry. So a fad diet is above and beyond healthy eating, it is a diet that is simply not sustainable for long periods of time. A particular concern with following fad diets is the negative effects they often produce. So much of the weight lost while following a diet is gained back in a short period once the person abandons the program (Holly, 2011). Also, dramatic changes to our caloric intake can wreak havoc on our immune systems and cause complex health issues such as Type II diabetes. There are more efficient methods of altering our current diets to reach our goals and maintain healthy weight standards. The Atkins Diet™ is a perfect example of how fad diets can fail. People report unbelievable results when on the Atkins Diet™, they can eat bacon and beef and cheese and still lose weight! It’s amazing, just cut out the carbohydrates. One of the issues behind cutting out the carbohydrates and sticking to this diet is the horrible side effects both during and after the diet. Bacon, red meat and cheese alone can fill a body with cholesterol; they are essentially artery stoppers and can lead to serious conditions such as obesity and heart disease. That said, because of the fast results on the scale, millions of people were enticed to try and continue this diet. As soon as a person ties to take themself off this diet, they begin to gain back weight instantly. Their body has lost the memory on how to process carbohydrates and they turn into sugar, thus into fat which leads to immediate weight gain. Carbohydrates are not evil; they are energy and are necessary for a healthy lifestyle. The human brain is only fueled by the sugars from carbohydrates. Fitness trainers preach the 1-2-3 method, one part fat, two parts protein and three parts carbohydrates. This one fad diet, the Atkins Diet™, successfully convinced millions of people that carbohydrates are the axis of evil and all weight gain (Eckel, 2007). Other factors to be considered when following a fad diet are the associated costs. These diets come in so many forms, to include: prepackaged meals, powders, liquids, and pills. More times than not, there are also recommended videos and books to accompany the chosen program. So many factors begin to skyrocket the realized costs of these diets. One would soon be paying much more money to follow the program than it would cost to buy healthier foods on a regular basis from the local supermarket. Prepackaged meals alone can cost hundreds, if not more a month, as the consumer is also picking up the tab for packaging, shipping, and delivery. Another mainstream move is to combine a popular workout program with the new diet. Traditional gym memberships are still a useful and expensive tool in the dieting phase, but a new method of supplementing these fads are workouts on DVD. Popular labels such as P90X™ and Insanity™ increase overall cost to the entire diet program. What are not included in these programs are the warnings associated with mixing high octane workouts with low calorie fad diets. Implementing both an extreme, temporary diet and a tough workout regime at the same time can cause immediate health issues. While there are benefits to these at-home workout programs, it is enabling the individual to self-train without the consultation of a Doctor to ensure they are healthy enough to do so. The chances for physical impairments, such as sprained appendages, torn ligaments, and broken bones increase dramatically with lack of experience and professional guidance (Bush, 2011). These products only cost a fraction of a yearly gym membership, yet they still add to the overall cost of a dieting program. This further raises the costs of a dieting program when we factor in medical bills.
Another note is that so many of these supplemental workouts would not have arrived on the scene without the popularity of fad diets. As with prepackaged meals, workout videos often come in sets or volumes. Each new installment pads the pockets of fitness professionals more quickly than one-on-one training alone. It is estimated Americans spend $46 billion annually on these programs and supporting products (Sharfstein, 2011). Solutions to our addiction to fad diets do exist. Alternative eating habits give us flexibility to steer clear of high priced prepackaged meals. We think of a diet as physical starvation; we need to refocus our thoughts and our attention to healthy lifestyle, something that is in fact sustainable. There are tools that can assist initially for those who are not exercise or nutrition savvy, such as calorie counters, available even on mobile devices that basically eliminate all excuses to not count calories. On this same Livestrong webpage, there is a tool called “MyPlate;” this tool will track a person’s calories (Holly, 2011). It gives the user the option to choose what they eat with nutritional value already present from the robust database or the option exists to input personal nutritional facts. This will help a newcomer track their calories and it has been proven that individuals who track their intake tend to hold themselves more accountable. Even this though is not expected to be a lifelong habit, just a kick start to a healthier lifestyle. The principle behind losing weight is not a fad diet or a magic pill, it is basic principle; burn more calories than one takes in.
While compiling this research, I monitored the monthly spending cost of food for a married couple with no kids, and compared their total to an individual who ordered prepackaged meals, also with no kids. For the couple, the monthly total came out at $345.60. This encompassed a trip to the grocery store every other week and three brief stops for specialty items throughout the month. This couple then prepared their meals in the kitchen, ensuring that each meal remained no more than 500 calories each. The individual subject who ordered prepackaged meals – enough for one month – spent $235.98 on the meals alone. This did not include the most basic drinks such as milk and orange juice. The calorie portions remained in the 400-550 calorie range, comparable to the couple who prepared their own meals.
The results of this brief study confirmed that prepackaged meals are very expensive compare to traditional shopping, even when being calorie conscious. If the couple had also ordered the meal plan, it would have cost them $471.96 prior to adding basic drinks. This shows the consumer there are viable options out there to reach our actual dieting needs as individuals and still not break the bank. Instead of following a one-size-fits-all meal plan, one can simply tailor their caloric intake to meet their specific goals. No two people are alike, so it should be common knowledge that no two diets should be exactly alike either.
To offset the cost of a set of workout DVDs, one can simply schedule a one hour consultation with a certified nutritionist to educate themselves on food products (Ello-Martin, Ledikwe & Rolls, n.d.). Such a move is recommended by doctors who often counsel the victims of fad diets, allowing these consumers to learn of options not presented in the magazines located in the checkout line at the corner store. Understanding what is put into a healthy diet will go much further than a stack of prepackaged meals that are engineered to the ‘average’ body type and size, and save hundreds off the top as well.
Working out and exercising area proven methods for staying in shape and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Combining this with a well mapped out nutrition plan will leave no need to follow a fad diet. Without a doubt, before starting a new workout regimen everyone should consult a physician prior to the workout. With the World Wide Web an person can be part of a team; they can eat healthier and can find a fitness routine that works for zero cost. “If you can't afford a personal trainer—or don't want one—there are a number of exercise and nutrition resources available on the Internet. For some, the convenience and social support of surfing for fitness guidance online can make it just as effective as working with a trainer in person” (Bush, 2011, par. 7). Just like an online football pool, the Internet has endless sites that are dedicated to working out, to include articles, videos, and friendly weight loss competitions. YOUTUBE™ posts workout videos all at zero costs by trainers worldwide; trainers, who are in the business of health, not profit. However, it is imperative that individuals ease into any new program, whether it is a workout regimen or a diet program.
Supplements are another expensive addition to fad dieting, and are often young in research and not proven with decades of practical application. These can be avoided altogether when balancing a nutritional diet with a basic exercise routine. Revisiting the advice of a certified nutritionist, any lacking essentials should be recoverable in the form of time tested, proven vitamins (Eckle, 2011). These are also less costly than never-heard-of supplements with flashy labels.
The buddy system goes a long way to motivate the individual to maintain a healthy diet and fun workout routine. Family members, neighbors, and co-workers can share similar interest and push each other to succeed. When left alone, it is easy to fall short of one’s goals and cave in to tastier foods, less showers, and fewer sore muscles. The advantage of the buddy system is the compelling drive not to let the other team member down. Instead of failing individually, success is often accomplished by meeting common goals together.
Another benefit to staying clear of fad diets is the ability to set and surpass milestones. Most quick-result diets have a short lifespan, and once the consumer has completed that cycle there is no other step than starting over. Putting down the diet magazine and switching off the infomercial station allows the individual to implement goals and milestones into a well-balanced eating plan and workout routine (Nardone, 2011). Weekly, monthly, or yearly goals allow an individual or team to continuously assess their progress and adjust their nutrition and workout routine accordingly, without needing to pay the high fees often charged by personal trainers.
This research has reviewed the trends of fad dieting, inflated by pressure to conform and by the many types of media which we are constantly assailed with. It has discussed the dangers of one-size-fits-all dieting and noted why this approach does not work effectively across a broad range of individuals. This paper has discussed the profiteering efforts of gyms and workout videos, the risk of hurting one’s self when jumping into exercise too quickly, and the potential dangers of supplements that may not have the proper research invested in them to prove safe and effective.
This research has also given several ways to offset the dangerous effects above. By tuning out from the media and social hype and avoiding fad diets, consumers can utilize many alternatives to safely reach their dieting goals. Instead of spending time on expensive prepackaged food, the research notes one can simply spend a lesser amount seeking and applying professional advice from a nutritionist. Learning portion control and how to adjust caloric intake also help. One can also educate themselves by visiting a doctor prior to adding a workout routine to their diet and using the internet and buddy system to avoid the high fees of gym memberships. Lastly, the consumer can set goals and substitute flashy supplements with stable vitamins to fill nutritional gaps.
It turns out the consumer has many safe options available to them to obtain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Contrary to popular belief, the cost of maintaining such a lifestyle does not have to be exorbitant. Self-education, dedication, and perseverance can far surpass the marginal benefits of fad diets and allow the consumer to sustain the gains from consistency.

References
Bush, C. (2011, April 7). 5 Cheap alternatives to hiring a personal trainer. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/on-fitness/2011/04/07/5-cheap-alternatives-to-hiring-a-personal-trainer Eckel, R. (2007, May 18). Webmd. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/diet/atkins-diet- what-it-is
Ello-Martin, J. A., Lediwke, J. H., & Rolls, B. J. (2005, July). The influence of food portion size and energy density on energy intake: implications for weight management. The American Journal of Clinical Nitrition, 82(1), 1-4. Retrieved from http://www.ajcn.org/ content/82/1/236S.long Holley, C. (2011, January 9). Fads, crash diets, and their effects. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/352845-fads-crash-diets-their-effects.
Nardone, T. (2011). Faddiet.com. Retrieved from http://www.faddiet.com/
Sharfstein, J. M. (2011, April 19). Marketing of Dietary Supplements to Seniors.
Special Committee on Aging United States Senate. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/2010/05/t20100526a.html