Tips for Choosing a Weight Loss Program

If you are thinking of joining a weight loss program, it is important to choose one that is nutritionally balanced, safe and effective over the long term.

The South African weight loss industry is not regulated. Marketers often prey on the vulnerable consumer’s desires for quick and easy solutions to complex health issues.

Here are some “red flags” to be on the lookout for!

● Promises fast weight-loss (more than one kilogram per week).

● Promises a quick fix that is “easy”, “effortless”, “guaranteed” or “permanent”.

● Recommends a very low calorie eating plan (below 800 calories per day) without medical supervision.

● Recommends lists of so-called “good” and “bad” foods, or the exclusion of complete food groups or may overemphasize a particular food type.

● Recommends buying specially formulated products or supplements and touting the success of these based on unreferenced claims, personal testimonials, success stories and before and after photographs.

● Promises to work without needing to diet and exercise and discourages long term realistic lifestyle changes

● Is sold by persons self proclaiming to be “nutritionists or counsellors”, but who have no formal training in nutrition and / or registration with the Health Professions Council of SA.

● Requires you to sign a “long term”, “expensive” contract or offers a early bird “special price”.

●Omits to mention possible risks that may result from the quick weight loss promised or specific products recommended, especially in persons with existing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart conditions.

● Promotes the use of weight loss aids or gimmicks such as starch blockers, fat-burners,

herbs, supplements or amino acids that have not been scientifically proven to have health

benefits.

● Does not offer long term support to maintain the weight loss.

In general, if it sounds too good or too easy to be true, it probably is!

A dietitian is a professional trained to review eating habits and develop meal plans tailored to individual needs and existing health conditions. If it is about nutrition, consult a Registered Dietitian. In any scientific field, new discoveries are constantly being made. As yet dietitians do not have all the answers ! The consumer can rest assured that as new scientific information based on evidence becomes available dietitians will pass this on to the public to improve health and quality of life.

Karen Stadler
Dietitian
082 564 7270

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