Lose 20 pounds in 10 days: And
other lost promises
Lona Sandon, MEd, RDN,
Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Nutrition
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“The great enemy of truth is very often not the
lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but
the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.”
 John F. Kennedy
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
says:
“…food and nutrition misinformation can have harmful effects
on the health, well-being, and economic status of consumers.”
What is a food/diet fad?
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Unreasonable or exaggerated beliefs about a
food/nutrient/special diet
Often include false or misleading claims
Sometimes quite profitable
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Ex: high antioxidant juices, cleansing solutions
Position of the American Dietetic Association: Food and nutrition
misinformation. J Amer Diet Assoc. 2006;106:601-607.
What is health fraud?

“promoting for financial gain a health remedy that doesn’t
work or hasn’t been proven to work” - Roberta Dyuff, RD
ADA Complete Food and Nutrition Guide
Ex: lipozene, acai berry extract, most stuff on the Internet
Example:
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1990: Larceny and prison for
impersonating an MD
1996: Securities and Exchange
Commission for multi-level marketing
1998: FTC fine for false or
misleading claims
2004: Contempt of court for
violating preliminary injunction
– coral calcium cures cancer
2007 FTC – violating court order for
misrepresenting the contents of his books
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN5ihrECJms
What are misdirected claims?
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Cause consumer to
make incorrect
conclusions about a
food/nutrient
“Health Halos” – belief
that a food is more
healthful than it really is
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Trans fat free but still high
in fat & calories
Chocolate is heart
healthy but high in fat,
sugar, & calories
EGCG in green tea will
make you lose weight or
prevent cancer
Agave, Sea Salt, etc.
Position of the American Dietetic Association: Food and nutrition
misinformation. J Amer Diet Assoc. 2006;106:601-607.
Costs of Misinformation
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Physical Harm – drug-nutrient interactions, toxic
substances, delays proper medical care
Economic harm – products fail to work, needless
purchases
$168 B spent in 2004
http://www.4diamaxol.com/googlebitter_melon.htm?gclid=
COjrpLrS3I4CFQTGgAodBmuk5g
Position of the American Dietetic Association: Food and nutrition
misinformation. J Amer Diet Assoc. 2006;106:601-607.
Spotting a Fad Diet
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Promise of quick weight
loss
No exercise needed
Rigid meal plans
Food combinations
Unlimited amounts of
certain foods
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Elimination of certain
foods
Super foods
Specific supplements
Very-low Calorie Liquid Diets
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Pros: rapid weight loss
Cons:
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Electrolyte imbalance
Fatigue, weakness
Constipation
Nausea
Diarrhea
Hair loss
Heart arrhythmia
Muscle loss
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High risk:
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People with diabetes &
kidney disease
Research shows:
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Not for long-term use,
weight plateaus at 3 mos.
Slowed calorie burn
Hard to stick to
Fasting/Cleansing Diets
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Pros: very low calorie, leads
to weight loss
Cons:
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Depleted energy levels
Depleted nutrient levels
Muscle loss
Dehydration
Dizziness
Feeds yo-yo dieting
Electrolyte imbalance
Increases “toxins”: ketones,
urea, ammonia
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High risk:
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Diabetes
Kidney disease
Heart disease
Cancer
No scientific support for the
notion of detoxing
Natures “detox”:
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Clean colon: Eat more fiber
Flush kidneys: Drink more
water
Sweat – exercise more
High Protein/Low Carb
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Pros: weight loss initially,
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satiety, may lower blood
sugar & triglycerides
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Cons:
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Fatigue/lethargy
Ketone breathe
Dehydration
Greater intake of known
carcinogens
High total & saturated fat
Constipation
Headache, nausea
High risk:
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Kidney disease
Heart disease
Research shows:
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It’s the calories, not the
carbs
Can’t burn fat without
carbohydrate
Whole grains good for
blood sugar, weight, heart
High fiber, low-calorie diets
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Pros: fiber doesn’t have
calories; it is filling, high in
F/V
Cons:
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Bloating
Cramping
Diarrhea
Blocks nutrient absorption
at >40 g/d
Too low in fat
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High risk: ???
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Research shows:
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Reduce or reverse heart
disease
Help control blood sugar
10 Red Flags of Junk Science
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
Promises a quick fix
Warnings of danger
To good to be true
Simplistic conclusions
Based on a single study
Refutes reputable
organizations
4. Lists of good vs. bad
foods
3. Selling a product
2. Recommendations based
on non-peer reviewed
studies
1. Recommended from
studies that ignore
diversity in populations
Food and Nutrition Science Alliance
http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000610
How to Evaluate a Fad Diet
 Credibility
 Accuracy
 Reasonableness
 Support
Words to Watch For
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All natural
Ancient remedy
Balances hormones
Banish fat
Breakthrough
No side effects
Discovered in Europe
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Effortless
Exotic
Guaranteed
Miraculous
Mysterious
New discovery
Secret ingredient
What a healthy diet looks like: