Can the ‘Eat-This, Not-That’ Diet Be Effective? | Diet and Exercise | Real Life Fitness | PhitZone

Reviewing a Men’s Health Diet – Follow This, Not That?

No Eating!

One of the more popular and trendy diets today is the Eat-This, Not-That diet. The book, written by Men’s Health editor-in-chief Dave Zinczenko, suggests that people following the diet can eat the foods they want from fast food restaurants and even eat chocolate and still lose weight.

Can this truly result in successful weight loss? Or is this just another diet making grand promises with little effort- only to leave a disappointed and disillusioned dieter in its wake? Read more on the subject of popular weight loss diets at fitnesswatch-md.com.

In reality, the Eat-This, Not-That diet is a combination of having the potential for success within a heavily-marketed and sellable package that might not work or be the healthiest plan for the long-term. This diet has the basis of providing proper nutrition for the dieter, but some of the claims may not be completely achievable or realistic. For a frustrated dieter, the book’s pronouncements make it an attractive option, but the expectations are not likely to be met.

In comparison to the Eat-This, Not-That diet, a medically-directed weight loss program might be a better option for a dieter looking for the most effective weight way to lose weight.

Dr. Michael Kaplan, director of The Center for Medical Weight Loss, the nation’s largest network of non-surgical weight loss physicians, states, “Many of these fad diets promise results even when a person eats chocolate; it’s usually not a diet that works for the person in the long run.”

To Kaplan’s credit, The Center’s programs have proven to be highly successful, with an average weight loss of 28 pounds in 12 weeks for a person in the program. Results so impressive, they have been published in the American Journal of Medicine. (You can learn more by visiting centerformedicalweightloss.com.)

‘Eat-This, Not-That’ tries the realistic approach

In Eat-This, Not-That, the nutritional profiles for popular foods are highlighted. It takes into account that most people will not be willing to engage in what they see as deprivation by shunning the hamburger that they look forward to in favor of a plate of vegetables. What the diet tries to do is find an option that will allow the individual to eat the hamburger while doing so in the healthiest possible manner. Because it is seen as realistic, and doesn’t force people to stick to a diet that requires an immense amount of willpower and determination, Eat-This, Not-That has become very popular. The problem is that diets appealing to a person’s desires rather than needs can lead them down the wrong road.

Some ‘Eat-This, Not-That’ recommendations might be misguided

Weight loss experts are in agreement that losing weight comes down to math. Eating fewer calories than are being burned means that weight loss will come naturally. For a book to suggest that one fast food restaurant’s cheeseburger is superior to another’s is a sleight-of-hand trick when the burger that is recommended is still a fat-laden, unhealthy choice for a person who legitimately wants to diet and achieve results. This is prior to eating the sides that generally come along with a burger such as a high-calorie sugary soda drink and fat-drenched, salty French fries. Following this type of plan will not result in losing weight and keeping it off. To make matters worse, it’s not healthy!

Physician-designed weight loss programs can be superior

In order to lose weight and alter one’s body while maintaining good health, the life choices must be adjusted and done in such a way that it is still enjoyable. Eat-This, Not-That might help in changing the dietary selections, but over the long term, more precise advice is needed.

Dr. Kaplan offers advice to the person trying to lose weight effectively, “Find a physician qualified in medical weight loss; the results that can be achieved with a customized approach are significant, and sustainable.”