Every year doctors and nutritionists around the world dream up diets of all kinds. A quick Google search or trip to the bookstore and you’ll see there’s no shortage of weight loss tips. Here are three classic fad diets and the reasons why they simply aren’t effective.

1. The Master Cleanse

Dating all the way back to 1941, The Master Cleanse was created by Stanley Burroughs. Its had periodic popularity ever since. For about two weeks, you are told to sustain life on a lovely mixture of lemon juice, water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. The allotment is two 1-liter bottles of this concoction per day. Hunger pangs are supposedly numbed by chugging down this odd blend of sweet, spicy and sour. To top it all off, at the end of the day, you’re told to down a glass of warm salt water which in turn sends you running for the toilet instead of bed. Of course it works, you’re consuming minimal calories, all of which are liquid, for two weeks. It’s just that it has nothing to do with what’s in that disgusting juice blend. And it certainly won’t help keep the weight off.

2. The Atkins Diet

Doctor Robert Atkins created this eponymous diet in the 1970s. In short, the diet cuts out carbohydrates so your body will burn all the fat you’ve stored up instead of the glucose in the carb-y foods. There are four phases; each phase allows the addition of a few more carbs and a few additional food types. All along though, you can keep on stuffing your face with meat and cheese. And oh, was it popular. In fact, it continues to be. Why not? All the protein-rich meat, fish, eggs, butter and oil you want! The problem with low-carb diets is that you’re actually losing mostly water weight, especially at first. Furthermore, the Atkins diet promises the loss of up to 15 pounds in the first two weeks. That kind of speedy weight loss never lasts. Dr. Atkins died of a heart attack in 2003. While it doesn’t get much more ironic than that, it is unclear that his dieting approach had anything to do with his death.

3. The Grapefruit Diet

The origins of the Grapefruit Diet are uncertain, but it has been around since at least the 1930s. Most plans last for 12 days and promise a 10-pound weight loss. The basis here is that the grapefruit is a miraculous wonder food with a magical fat-burning enzyme. Well, that’s just not true. There is no scientific basis for this whatsoever. The truth is, the diet is very restricting (typically 800-1000 calories, very limited food options). Anyone on a diet like that will lose weight. But again, the results won’t last because you aren’t changing your overall eating habits. Nothing against the wonderful grapefruit. It’s a very nutritious fruit, low in calories and high in vitamin C and fiber. It’s just not a fat burner.

What actually works

1. Identify your ‘weakest link’ when it comes to dieting. You probably already know what it is. Maybe it is afternoon or midnight snacking. Maybe it’s your sweet tooth or alcohol consumption. Whatever the issue, address these vulnerabilities head-on.

2. Keep it simple and find one or two changes you can make in your diet right now. Cut out something that’s bad for you, or add something that’s good. Everyone wants immediate results, but little improvements, a few at a time, is the best way to go.

3. After a few weeks time, assess whether or not the small changes you are making are working. If they are, great! If not, try something else. Realistically it takes a few months to see real and healthy weight loss.

The fad diet market is a billion dollar one. Don’t waste time and money. A slow and steady progress towards weight loss is the surest.

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- http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4550/images/4550_MEDIUM.jpg
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Keep an eye on your health and your budget with these low-cost superfood alternatives.

Food is not a medicine. It cannot cure ailments or diseases, even if food has healthful properties. Green leafy vegetables and colorful fruits are not magic pills, even if they are packed with nutrients. The closest food gets to having a restorative effect is a small category of superfoods. They are natural, from the earth, (or naturally derived, such as soy products), and minimally processed.

But you may also know superfoods as some of the most expensive options in the produce section. Blueberries, goji berries, walnuts, salmon, and acai—they’re all great in cancer and heart disease prevention and weight loss regimens. But so expensive!

Here are some ways to get the benefit of superfoods without paying superfood prices.

Beans
Yes, the humble bean packs a punch. Beans (aka legumes) come in many fashions, from lentils to pinto to garbanzo. Cans at the market are as low as 99-cents each, but if you can plan your meals a day ahead, dried beans are as low as 25-cents a pound. Just soak them the night before. Jazz beans up with Indian or Mexican spices. Beans are a popular vegetarian and vegan substitute for meat because they’re loaded with protein.

Broccoli
Nothing shouts healthy like a head of broccoli. They look like trees, so they must be healthy! Broccoli is actually a great detoxifier. I bet you didn’t know that broccoli has a ton of vitamin C and vitamin K. What’s vitamin K? It’s found in many green, leafy (cruciferous) veggies like broccoli, and is crucial for blood health. At just over one-dollar per pound, broccoli is a powerfully cheap veggie. Try baking it at 400F for 12 minutes for a crunchy, rich green flavor.

Sweet Potatoes
They’re not just for Thanksgiving. Substitute the orange colored sweet potatoes for baking or waxy potatoes. Mash them or bake them with your favorite herbs, and you’ve got one of the most incredibly packed vitamin A vegetables. They’re filling and cheap, too—usually under 99-cents a pound.

Shitake Mushrooms
One of the most delicious and plentiful mushroom varieties is shitake. They’re small and easy to use, and totally full of important minerals. Mushrooms are a wonder of nature, growing in forests and on felled logs, yet they inhibit the growth of cancer cells, strengthen the immune system, and are heart-healthy. I can get a big pack of luscious shitakes at my market for about two-bucks a pound.

Other inexpensive superfoods that are easy to add to your shopping cart include tofu, eggs, peanut butter, prunes, and bananas. Happy and healthy eating!

Prescription drugs: The potential for their abuse and addiction is high. If you need to manage bodily pain and are concerned about pharmaceutical toxins or liver damage, then prescription drugs can be last in a chain of available pain treatment options. Fibromyalgia, nerve damage, arthritis, headaches, diabetes, and chronic back pain can all benefit from alternative therapies. It is best to consult your physician when planning new physical activities and exercises. Importantly, be aware of your own body’s limits. If it hurts, then stop immediately.

Acupuncture
Ancient Chinese medicine has given us acupuncture. The ancient healing practice is well-documented and practiced by skilled acupuncturists. You may not always feel an acupuncture needle being inserted, especially if your practitioner is extremely gentle. Many people come to love the feeling of a needle stimulating a particular point—those pain points need attention, and acupuncture delivers.

Yoga
Slow stretching movements can help realign your spinal column and pelvis, strengthen your hands and feet, and promote strong blood circulation. Yoga always incorporates steady breathing techniques, which help to calm the mind. Yes, there is a meditative quality to the calm, intentional movements offered by yoga. These can help to soothe the nervous system.

Massage
Light massage can relax the muscles and ease the agile brain. Relaxation is key to solving pain caused by sore muscles, chronic back pain, stress, and drug addiction withdrawals. The simple act of human touch is a powerful conduit of healing energy. Skin stimulation is an excellent and proven mood elevator.

Spa
Sometimes pain management means pampering yourself. Spend 15–20 minutes in a warm or hot spa, Jacuzzi, bath or steam room. This can relax your muscles and your mind. Heath applied to certain pain spots can be soothing. This is especially good for lower back pain and sore feet. Do not use the spa if you have open sores or wounds, or high blood pressure.

See if you can reduce the amount of prescription pills you put in your mouth with any of these gentle pain management techniques. Above all, believe you want to be a healthy person.