NUTR 221 – Assignment Three

Evaluation of a Fad Diet

Purpose: The obesity crisis in the US has created a huge industry related to weight loss.
Strategies and “solutions” range from commercial weight loss programs, various weight loss
diets, diet pills and dietary supplements to the more invasive bariatric surgery.

The purpose of this assignment is to develop the skills needed to recognize a fad diet. A fad diet
is a diet that promises quick weight loss through what is usually an unhealthy and unbalanced
diet. In addition, you will also explore the non-dieting movement based on promoting healthy
behavior change.

Complete the answers on this worksheet, convert the file to a PDF and submit to the D2L
Assignment folder.

Part 1: Select one “fad weight loss diet” and use the following criteria to evaluate the diet.

Note: You may not use any of the following diets for this assignment as each one represents a
healthy eating plan (i.e. not a fad diet). DO NOT USE: DASH Diet, Mediterranean Diet,
Vegetarian or Vegan Diet, Flexitarian Diet, TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) Diet, MIND Diet,
Volumetrics Diet, or Weight Watcher’s Diet. These are not considered fad diets.

1) List the name of the fad weight loss diet you selected and why you chose to analyze that
particular fad diet. (3pts)

I am choosing the Carnivore Diet. The reason I am choosing this diet is because I love meat, and
this is something that I have done unintentionally. I am very curious to see how it effects your
health and if there are any positive effects.

2) A fad diet limits food selection to a few food groups or promotes specific “rules” related to
eating times or food combinations.

a. Does this diet have a specific menu or list of foods to include or avoid? Provide an
overview of the diet’s food options. (3pts)

This specific diet eliminates all foods except for meat and animal products. Eggs, fish, meats,
bone marrow, lard, and butter.
NUTR 221 – Assignment Three

b. Are there any specific “rules” that must be followed while on the diet? If so, give
examples. This could include # of meals, times to eat, foods to avoid etc. (3pts)

With the carnivore diet it says that there are no meal plans or specific times you should eat. If
you are just eating meat, you are okay. It says that since you are eating a high protein diet you
tend to eat less and feel less hungry due to the amount of long-lasting energy in your system.

3) A fad diet promotes rapid weight loss of more than 1-2 lbs/week and is generally less than
1200 kcals per day.

a. What is the rate of weight loss that this diet promises to achieve? If not able to
determine, what do you think the rate would be? (2pts)

One source that I have found claimed that you can lose weight faster than the ketogenic diet
due to only eating protein rather than a more fat based diet.

b. Are you able to determine the estimated kcals per day? If not able to determine,
what do you think the number of kcals would be? (2pts)

Some of the menu plans that I have found consist usually an egg-based breakfast with
occasionally fish with either fish or poultry for lunch finished off with a steak or red meat for
dinner. Every day is different due to the different types of meats with different fat densities so
my best guess would be around 1,710 calories just from adding one of these meal plans up
which is 800 calories below the recommended average for men and 300 calories under the
recommended average calories for women.

4) A fad diet often promises that you will not need to do any exercise in order to lose weight.

a. Does the diet mention the need to exercise as part of the diet plan? Explain why it is
important to commit to physical activity while dieting. (2pts)

It does not say anything about working out needed but it should be included because due to
the low-calorie intake you will start to burn muscle in your body instead of fat. Working out
helps with keeping that muscle mass that you already have.

5) Some fad diets recommend that you purchase special foods, weight loss patches, expensive
supplements or other products in addition to following the diet.
NUTR 221 – Assignment Three

a. Can you find any commercial products that are recommended to use with this diet?
If so, what is the cost of these additional items? (You may need to review several
websites to see what is being offered.) Provide examples. (3pts)

Omega-3 fish oil supplement if you don’t eat a lot of fish is recommended as a supplement.
Omega-3s help with brain health, eyesight, depression, anxiety, and can improve risk factors for
heart dieses. Collegian supplements are also recommended. Collegian is sourced from the
bones of cows. Magnesium supplements as well are recommended unless you are eating more
the 3lbs of red meat a day you are probably 100mg short.

6) Many fad diets do not recommend making changes in activity or eating habits (behavior
modification) or may recommend an eating pattern that is unrealistic or offers no other support
beyond a book on the diet.

a. Does this diet mention maintenance or strategies on how to be successful beyond

the weight loss period? Explain (for example, what strategies are given for the 1-year
post weight loss period?) (3pts)
This diet does not recommend changing any daily habits. There is also nothing on how you will
feel you come off this diet.

7) Most fad diets are not based on science or may claim to have a scientific discovery that
appears to be based on research. Others are based on anecdotal reports from celebrities or
weight loss “experts”.

a.) Does the diet make any claims of a scientific breakthrough or use spokespersons
that promote the diet? Explain. (3pts)
Many websites that I have seen have said there are scientific facts that give. You weight loss,
decreased inflammation, increased testosterone, and mental clarity. All of these facts have
come from unreliable sources so there is no telling if they are true.

8) Find one research article or one professional website that informs consumers about the
pros and cons regarding this fad diet. Some suggested websites are www.webmd.com,
www.mayoclinic.com, and www.eatright.org.

a. Summarize the article or website’s analysis of the fad diet and provide a citation (APA).
Do not forget to include the pros and cons. (6pts)
NUTR 221 – Assignment Three

I looked up reviews from this website and they were good. Is written in five different
paragraphs with the first being an intro, second explaining the diet, third talking about the
downsides, fourth the supposed benefits and fifth the conclusion.

References
What's the Carnivore Diet? (2018, October 10). Retrieved from https://foodinsight.org/whats-
the-carnivore-diet/

Part II : Another viewpoint is that it may be better for individuals to focus on healthy
behaviors rather than continually going on and off diets and regaining weight. This is
considered the “non-dieting” approach to achieving a health weight.

1) Go to https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/size-diversity-health-every-size to learn
more about the Health at Every Size (HAE) movement and how it might be relevant to
individuals struggling with body acceptance or an eating disorder.

a. Identify two of the HAE principles that you felt you could adopt in your everyday life
and explain why they were relevant to you. (5pts)\\

I think tailoring my taste is one of them. Since coming to college I have stopped eating more of
the healthy food I would have as a kid. Going back and eating those healthy foods just isn’t the
same and is not as satisfying as other less healthy options. Another one is eating when you are
hungry and stopping when I am full. I get in a bad habit of nonstop eating when I have
something I really like to eat. I never paise and think if I am full or not. Those are accouple
things that I can implement into my life to improve my nutrition.

Part III: Self-Reflection

NUTR 221 – Assignment Three

1) How has this assignment helped you to develop critical thinking skills in evaluating
weight loss diets or changed your perspective on dieting? Provide two examples and
explain how each has changed your viewpoint. (5pts)
This assignment has helped me understand the benefits of a balanced diet. I have only tried one
in the past was very limiting and I lost a lot of the fun of being a cook. I learned that diets are
just there as guidelines but for the most part everyone can make changes that fit their lifestyles
and goals.
If I am ever to do another diet again, I will do research very similar to this using my resources to
find quality evidence towards my decision on another diet. My dad is always my number one
recourse when it comes to nutrition, but he doesn’t know all the details so it’s good to use
these skills as a backup plan in case he doesn’t have an answer.

Complete the answers on this worksheet, convert the file to a PDF and submit to the D2L
Assignment folder. If you do not submit as a PDF, you will lose 2 pts on the assignment.