Do Diets Work? If Not, Now What?

“Do diets really work?” seems to be the million dollar question. Such a complex question deserves a thoughtful and nuanced response. In this post I’ll be defining the term “diet”, outlining some of the history and original purpose of this infamous word, breaking down what the research says about the safety and feasibility of diets and concluding with what other options might be out there. 

I’d appreciate your generosity as I attempt to outline this controversial topic. I’d also like to acknowledge that I live with thin privilege (in a small, socially accepted body) and cannot fully understand the challenges people in larger bodies face on a daily basis.

Defining “Diet”

We have to come to an agreement about this infamous word if we’re going to communicate clearly and effectively. If you look in the dictionary, “diet” has traditionally meant two different things: (1) “the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats” or (2) “a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons.”

These two definitions yield incredibly different eating outcomes. The former simply describes “what someone eats” and the latter implies that some sort of intentional restriction is taking place. For the sake of this conversation, when we say “diet” we’re talking about the second definition where individuals intentionally restrict their food choices in order to lose weight or “improve” their health in some way. (I use quotations because it’s often assumed that weight loss equals improvements in health, and that may not always be true.) Take note of these reasons because we’ll circle back to see if these two perceived outcomes are possible. 

Altering food choices for medical reasons is a different ball-game and can be necessary in certain circumstances (though in those cases it’s still more what people can eat versus how much); we’re going to stick with analyzing the outcomes of people who voluntarily adhere to a specific diet in order to lose weight but are not medically required because of an allergy, medication contraindications, a GI disorder or other intolerance.

History and Purpose of Diets

Though most of us have come to understand the purpose of diets as a necessary means to improve our health, I was interested to learn that diets originated purely as a way to improve one’s appearance through weight loss. The first diet book on record was William Banting’s “Letter on Corpulence,” which described how he lost weight by replacing his carbohydrate intake with meat, fish and vegetables. 

Additionally, ads from the nineteenth century boasted slogans such as: “Lose weight and look lovelier”, “Don’t be fat!” and “How attractive are you at the beach?” Understanding the motives behind these campaigns is helpful. Restrictive and/or weight loss diets were not originally aimed at improving health but as a means for improving one’s appearance. If that’s the case, why is weight loss so frequently prescribed as a way to achieve better health? And, importantly, is weight-loss achievable long-term?

What does the research say about diets?

Regardless of whether or not you believe weight loss leads to better health, it’s important to examine what the research says about dieting long-term. Even if diets did lead to better health, a lot of the research says weight loss isn’t sustainable long-term

Conventional wisdom about weight loss is this: if you eat less than you expend, you will lose weight. Mathematically, about 3500 calories equals one pound. To lose one pound, you must burn an extra 3500 calories. Diets promote this deficit. In theory, the belief is: if we work hard enough, we will lose weight. And many of us have tried very hard. So why doesn’t increased exercise and caloric restriction lead to weight loss in the long term? One review on dieting and restrained eating as prospective predictors of future weight gain concluded, “The prospective nature of these studies confirms that dieting at one point in time is likely to predict weight gain at a later point in time.”

Let’s further unpack what else is going on when we diet.

Set Point Theory – Set Point Theory is the theory that our body has a weight range where it feels comfortable. It’s a range, not one number, which means our weight can fluctuate throughout a lifetime. Set Point Theory helps explain why so many people who lose weight through dieting end up regaining it (sometimes plus more). It’s a feedback control mechanism that fights for you to be in a range your body naturally feels comfortable in. The hard part? We don’t get to choose our set point range.

Metabolism – Research shows that our metabolism slows when we are in starvation mode (e.g. a diet). It’s pretty genius if you think about it — our bodies want to keep us alive. When they sense a lack of resources (i.e. food), they slow down to conserve the energy they have left. Our bodies aren’t able to distinguish a real famine from a diet, so they take protective measures during both. This helps explain why it gets harder and harder to lose weight (i.e. why we hit a “plateau”) after dieting for a while. 

Weight cycling – While we’ve long associated being in a larger body with increasing our risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and other diseases, research is now showing that weight cycling also leads to adverse health effects. What causes weight cycling? Hopping from one weight-loss diet to the next. Why would someone do that? Because research demonstrates most diets lead to short-term weight loss but after about 6 months the weight stagnates or begins to creep back up. What if we have been associating larger bodies with an increased disease risk but it’s also the weight cycling (sometimes called yo-yo dieting) that’s contributing to this risk? (Also: I’m not here to debate whether being at a higher body weight is associated with health risks. I’m more concerned about what to do about it and to prevent further health complications.)

Weight stigma – It’s hard to deny the fatphobic nature of the society we live in. Chairs, planes, escalators — so many spaces are not equipped for people in larger bodies. Not to mention the well-intended but sharply misguided thin people who often suggest to people in larger bodies that they “should lose some weight” — this is harmful for a few reasons: 

  • It’s not your place to make unwarranted comments about people’s bodies. Ever. 
  • You have no idea what else someone has going on in their lives. Maybe they’re struggling with an eating disorder — not everyone suffering from an eating disorder lives in an emaciated body. Maybe they are on medication that recently caused their weight to change. There are tons of reasons. 
  • Shame doesn’t motivate anyone to make behavior changes, and it’s each person’s prerogative to decide if they want health to be a value. And it’s that person’s decision to seek guidance from a healthcare provider. Regardless of body size, everyone deserves compassionate, ethical care from providers who won’t dismiss their comments about what they need to pursue better health. 

Psychological Trauma – Food is rooted in tradition and joy, and restriction leaves some people with psychological damage. Diets often lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with food, anxiety around eating, interference with social events and mealtimes, and an increased risk for eating disorders.

No Diet, Now What?

That was a lot of information. Based on the lack of efficacy of diets and their contributions to weight cycling and weight stigma, it’s clear that using diets as a way to improve people’s psychological and physical health isn’t helpful or ethical. 

The good news is that you get to decide, given all this information, if you still want to pursue a diet or not. It’s totally up to you. If you don’t, there are other options to improve a person’s health regardless of their body size. Healthcare professionals care a lot about improving the health and well-being of their patients, and focusing on behaviors instead of weight loss is a great way to implement healthier behaviors for the long-term. Research shows that prioritizing well-being over weight loss can lead to improvements in physiological and psychological measures.

Lastly, mindful and Intuitive eating practices have been associated with improved self-esteem and health biomarkers. These eating styles have also been associated with a decrease in binge eating, external eating and emotional eating.

There’s so much more research and nuance to add, but I’ll stop for now. Thanks for taking the time to read. I appreciate your thoughtfulness about this topic.

184 Responses

  1. Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a perfect site.

  2. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!

  3. This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  4. I truly wanted to post a simple remark to say thanks to you for all the great hints you are posting at this site. My time-consuming internet search has now been rewarded with wonderful concept to share with my colleagues. I ‘d say that many of us visitors are very much blessed to dwell in a decent website with very many awesome individuals with very helpful tips and hints. I feel really lucky to have encountered the webpages and look forward to plenty of more entertaining times reading here. Thank you once more for a lot of things.

  5. ) Vou voltar a visitá-lo uma vez que o marquei no livro. O dinheiro e a liberdade são a melhor forma de mudar, que sejas rico e continues a orientar os outros.

  6. at web, except I know I am getting familiarity all the time by reading thes pleasant posts.|Fantastic post. I will also be handling some of these problems.|Hello, I think this is a great blog. I happened onto it;) I have bookmarked it and will check it out again. The best way to change is via wealth and independence. May you prosper and never stop mentoring others.|I was overjoyed to find this website. I must express my gratitude for your time because this was an amazing read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I’ve bookmarked your blog so I can check out fresh content in the future.|Hi there! If I shared your blog with my Facebook group, would that be okay? I believe there are a lot of people who would truly value your article.|منشور رائع. سأتعامل مع بعض هذه|

  7. I’ve noticed that credit score improvement activity must be conducted with tactics. If not, you are going to find yourself endangering your standing. In order to grow into success fixing your credit history you have to be careful that from this moment you pay your complete monthly costs promptly prior to their booked date. It is really significant given that by not really accomplishing that, all other actions that you will choose to adopt to improve your credit standing will not be helpful. Thanks for expressing your strategies.

  8. One important thing is that if you are searching for a student loan you may find that you will want a co-signer. There are many situations where this is true because you could find that you do not possess a past credit history so the lender will require you have someone cosign the loan for you. Good post.

  9. Great article. It is extremely unfortunate that over the last decade, the travel industry has had to tackle terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, bird flu, swine flu, and the first ever real global tough economy. Through it the industry has really proven to be sturdy, resilient as well as dynamic, obtaining new tips on how to deal with trouble. There are often fresh problems and possibilities to which the market must once more adapt and answer.

  10. A few things i have often told individuals is that when searching for a good online electronics shop, there are a few components that you have to take into account. First and foremost, you should make sure to locate a reputable plus reliable retailer that has gotten great evaluations and ratings from other shoppers and business sector professionals. This will make certain you are handling a well-known store providing you with good support and aid to their patrons. Thank you for sharing your ideas on this blog site.

  11. Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading through your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same topics? Thanks a lot!

  12. Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with almost all vital infos. I would like to look more posts like this .

  13. Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept

  14. Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I’m hoping to give one thing back and aid others such as you aided me.

  15. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to write more on this subject matter, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t talk about such topics. To the next! Best wishes!!

  16. I don’t even know how I finished up right here, however I thought this submit used to be good. I don’t know who you might be however certainly you are going to a well-known blogger if you happen to aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  17. I do consider all of the ideas you’ve offered in your post. They are very convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for novices. Could you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

  18. Esta página tem definitivamente toda a informação que eu queria sobre este assunto e não sabia a quem perguntar. Este é o meu primeiro comentário aqui, então eu só queria dar um rápido

  19. When someone writes an article he/she retains the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a user can be aware ofit. Thus that’s why this post is great. Thanks!

  20. One thing I would like to comment on is that fat burning plan fast can be achieved by the correct diet and exercise. Someone’s size not simply affects appearance, but also the entire quality of life. Self-esteem, despression symptoms, health risks, and physical capabilities are influenced in excess weight. It is possible to do everything right whilst still having a gain. Should this happen, a problem may be the reason. While a lot of food and never enough exercise are usually accountable, common medical conditions and popular prescriptions could greatly help to increase size. Thanks alot : ) for your post right here.

  21. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a really good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  22. Thanks for revealing your ideas on this blog. As well, a misconception regarding the finance institutions intentions while talking about foreclosures is that the lender will not take my repayments. There is a degree of time the bank will require payments from time to time. If you are very deep inside the hole, they should commonly call that you pay the particular payment fully. However, i am not saying that they will not take any sort of repayments at all. In the event you and the loan company can find a way to work a little something out, a foreclosure approach may end. However, if you continue to neglect payments wih the new system, the home foreclosure process can pick up from where it was left off.

  23. What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely usefuland it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist other users likeits aided me. Good job.

  24. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thanks, However I am going through issues with your RSS. I donít know why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  25. From my investigation, shopping for electronics online can for sure be expensive, nevertheless there are some tricks and tips that you can use to help you get the best offers. There are always ways to discover discount promotions that could make one to ge thet best electronic devices products at the smallest prices. Great blog post.

  26. I?ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i am happy to convey that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to do not forget this site and give it a look regularly.

  27. ในขณะนี้ผู้คนต่างสืบเสาะหาความสบายสบายแทบทั้งหมด UFABET แทงบอลออนไลน์ที่ตอบปัญหาคนภายในยุคนี้ที่สุด ด้วยเหตุว่าสามารถพนันที่แหน่งใดก็ได้ เวลาใดได้หมด ง่าย สะดวกสบาย ที่สำคัญที่สุดคือไม่เป็นอันตรายมากๆ

  28. UID_95859078###
    Baru-baru ini, para pemain Mahjong Wins 3 dikejutkan dengan bocoran RTP yang diklaim bisa meningkatkan peluang kemenangan secara signifikan. Banyak yang percaya bahwa informasi ini membantu mereka mendapatkan hasil yang lebih konsisten dalam permainan. Jika Anda ingin tahu lebih lanjut, cek bocoran RTP Mahjong Wins 3 hari ini dan lihat apakah strategi ini benar-benar efektif.

  29. I?m not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for great info I was looking for this info for my mission.

  30. I do not even know the way I stopped up right here, however I thought this post used to be good.I do not recognize who you might be but certainly you’re going to awell-known blogger should you are not already.Cheers! 0mniartist asmr

  31. certainly like your website however you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to inform the truth nevertheless I will certainly come back again.

  32. I would also like to add if you do not now have an insurance policy or else you do not participate in any group insurance, you could possibly well reap the benefits of seeking the help of a health agent. Self-employed or people who have medical conditions usually seek the help of a health insurance broker. Thanks for your post.

  33. I just could not depart your website prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is going to be back often to check up on new posts

  34. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t know why I am unable to join it. Is there anyone else getting similar RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  35. I have acquired some new things from your website about pcs. Another thing I have always presumed is that computers have become an item that each house must have for many reasons. They supply you with convenient ways to organize homes, pay bills, go shopping, study, tune in to music and perhaps watch tv programs. An innovative method to complete all of these tasks has been a laptop computer. These pcs are portable ones, small, robust and lightweight.

  36. Normally I don’t learn article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, very great article.

  37. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept

  38. Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a honest price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

  39. Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

  40. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Appreciate it!

  41. I can’t express how much I admire the effort the author has put into producing this outstanding piece of content. The clarity of the writing, the depth of analysis, and the abundance of information provided are simply impressive. Her passion for the subject is evident, and it has definitely made an impact with me. Thank you, author, for providing your knowledge and enlightening our lives with this incredible article!

  42. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Thanks

  43. There are certainly numerous particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a nice point to carry up. I offer the thoughts above as common inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important factor will likely be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round issues like that, but I am positive that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both boys and girls feel the impression of only a moment?s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  44. Whats up very cool web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally…I’m satisfied to find numerous useful information right here within the put up, we want work out more techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing.

  45. I have discovered that charges for internet degree experts tend to be a terrific value. For instance a full Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with the University of Phoenix Online consists of 60 credits from $515/credit or $30,900. Also American Intercontinental University Online provides a Bachelors of Business Administration with a overall school feature of 180 units and a tuition fee of $30,560. Online degree learning has made obtaining your college diploma far less difficult because you might earn the degree through the comfort of your home and when you finish from work. Thanks for all other tips I have really learned through your website.

  46. We absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be what precisely I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome web site!

  47. What i don’t understood is actually how you’re not really a lot more neatly-favored than you may be now. You are very intelligent. You already know thus significantly in relation to this subject, made me individually imagine it from a lot of various angles. Its like women and men are not interested until it?s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. All the time care for it up!

  48. One other thing to point out is that an online business administration course is designed for people to be able to without problems proceed to bachelor degree courses. The Ninety credit education meets the lower bachelor diploma requirements and when you earn your associate of arts in BA online, you will possess access to the modern technologies in this field. Several reasons why students have to get their associate degree in business is because they may be interested in the field and want to receive the general training necessary previous to jumping in to a bachelor education program. Thanks for the tips you actually provide within your blog.

  49. Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is excellent, let alone the content!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *