ave you ever gone on a diet?

If so, did you eventually go off of it?

I’m sure that you lost weight while on your diet, but what happened when you went off the diet? If you regained the weight you lost (and then some), then you’re not alone. Most people have disappointing experiences in the aftermath of diets, yet they usually keep trying new diets, losing and regaining those same ten pounds over and over again. If diets are not working for you, don’t try a different diet; try a completely different approach, one that is 100% fad free.

Being fad free is a much better goal to aspire to than being fat free. Fad diets are short-lived for a good reason: they’re impossible to keep up. Starting right now, I want to help you develop an eating plan for a lifetime of good health. There are many great resources for learning about sensible nutrition and I encourage you to seek them out. This monthly newsletter is just one place to find solid, scientifically supported information about diet and nutrition. Unfortunately, for every valid piece of material, there are at least two invalid sources of information. Here are some tips for separating credible from incredible sources:

• If advice is coming from a celebrity, then it is probably not based in science (unless that celebrity has the letters “RD” or “MD” after their name).
• Personal trainers, massage therapists and chiropractors are not qualified to give dietary advice or diagnose food allergies. While it may be true that you need to make some changes in your diet, it is best to seek nutritional advice from a qualified nutrition professional: a registered dietitian.
• Companies or individuals who are selling supplements and giving out dietary advice are trying to get you to buy their product so that they can make money. They will say anything to convince you that you need their product.
• Any “magic bullet” type of product that claims to cure several diseases, reverse aging or help you lose a large amount of weight in a short time will not do what it claims. These products can be especially dangerous if they prevent you from getting medically supervised treatment for your condition.
• If a plan or product sounds too good to be true, then it almost certainly is. There is no shortcut to healthy eating.
• Look for articles that cite studies that have been published in medical and scientific journals to back up their information.
• If you are seeking a complimentary or alternative therapist, find a Western-trained medical doctor who also specializes in the area you are interested in, such as acupuncture, herbology, Chinese medicine and homeopathy. These practitioners will recommend evidence-based therapies if you need to make dietary changes.
• Letters following a name does not mean that a person is qualified to give nutritional advice. You want to find a health professional who studied nutrition at an accredited university. Remember that anyone who is interested in nutrition can call themselves a “nutritionist” but only a person who has completed the academic and internship requirements and passed a lengthy exam can call themselves a registered dietitian.

I am sorry if I am the first to break the news to you, but there is no quick fix or easy way to reverse the effects of poor eating and inactivity. Improving your eating habits will take effort and you will not see changes overnight. That doesn’t mean that it’s not a worthwhile endeavor; anything worth doing will require some effort, but the rewards are always sweeter.

From now on, the word “diet” means your lifetime healthy eating plan. I’ll sum it up in just a few words: eat mostly unprocessed, wholesome plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts; cook them in olive oil; and never eat too much of anything. To learn more details, continue to read this newsletter each month and pick up the healthful recipe cards that go with it. Don’t waste your money on fads; instead, spend it on high-quality foods and nurturing activities, because good health will never go out of style.