It seems almost as if there is a new fad diet every week. Many of these contain elements of truth, but on the whole they contain much more good marketing than good science.

There is the 3-day diet, which touts eating little more than fruits for three days, followed by vegetables or meat or grains the other days. There are lots of variations.

While it's certainly true that eating fruit regularly is a key element to good health - most contain needed carbohydrates, vitamins and fiber - eating almost exclusively fruit for three days leads to imbalance - in carbohydrates, fiber and additional otherwise healthy components. To an extent the body will equalize and store what it needs for later, but there are limits.

Similarly, the 'low carb, high protein' diets, such as Atkins, recommend cutting way down on carbohydrates and eating substantial amounts of food high in protein. Here again protein is vital to proper nutrition, but so are carbohydrates. Putting too much emphasis on the first over the second leads to rapid, temporary weight loss, but at a high cost.

Carbohydrates are essential for supplying energy for all biochemical processes. Though the body, when needed, will use other sources, such as fat and protein. Too great an emphasis on protein reduces the ability of the body to store and regulate the appropriate amount of water, whereas carbohydrates help that.

There are very attractive sounding 'chocolate diets'. Nearly everyone loves chocolate and, contrary to some reports of a few years ago, it is healthy - in moderation. Chocolate contains anti-oxidants and other compounds that are helpful. But, as with anything, too much of a good thing is just that - too much. Also, since many will seek chocolate in forms that come with high fat, high sugar amounts it's possible to get some not-so-helpful elements along with the good.

There are ultra-low fat diets. Once again, the problem isn't with reduced fat, but going to extremes. A certain amount of fat in the diet is a healthy thing.

Any diet which makes promises of radical, rapid or quick weight loss - or any other extreme claim - is almost guaranteed to be more harmful than helpful. The human body has evolved over millions of years and decades of good nutritional research still confirms the common sense truth: balance is good, moderation is healthy.

Eat moderate portions at regular intervals of fruits and vegetables (for vitamins, carbohydrates and fiber), grains (for carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber), protein (for amino acids) and dairy products (for calcium, unless you're lactose intolerant). For the average person, between 2000-2500 calories per day is appropriate. Less for women, on average, and for those seeking rapid weight loss.

A balanced diet, coupled with age-appropriate, moderate and regular exercise, will lead to a healthy percentage of body fat, good muscle tone and a well-tuned system. You'll find you feel better and look good.

Best Of Health!

You might want to spend some time reading through the forum, especially the stickies. This is all common knowledge around here. Or are you submitting essays for our advice on a book report you're working on?

Not a book report, just a health report. You never know who is looking for basic knowledge and I just want to share with the members. I just want to share good information to people trying to reach their goals. If someone does not want to read it thats their choice. I can only share with those that will listen. I'm sure that some members will get value from it. Thanks for your reply.

what exactly are you selling on your home page that you've listed on your profile? since you're begging people to go there..

People in this community don't take kindly to being preached to... establish yourself a member of this c ommunity - and share experiences rather than just trying to pass out information that's already been well documented...

Yea, I'm not sure you understand the standard ethics and operations of the community. Just writing 'articles' about information that is common knowledge to the members here in what appears to be an attempt to gain traffic to your site doesn't go over well.

I understand your counter to that will be you aren't trying to gain traffic and you want to help people.

I'm informing you, which is obvious given the responses here and in your other thread, that this is not what it appears you are doing. Who's fault is that? The forum population as a whole or yours?

If you don't care about how you and your information are received, than okay.

If you were to go around and actually find people to help on a personal level, it would be different. But preaching what appears to be 101 level book reports to an educated base of membership is somewhat degrading.

yea, agreed Steve. So far I've heard nothing that hasn't already been said on the forum before.

Lately I have been following diets that are based on helping with disease prevention. It's sole purpose is to better you health, not just lose weight. (Which most diets can be unhealthy).

LINK REMOVED is a book that brings a true answer to the plethora of confusing dieting theories. Pamela McDonald's book revealed amazing details and draws a compelling picture of how diet, exercise, obesity, and heart disease are linked together - and how some of the world's most important medical researchers and mainstream theories are wrong.