What’s the scoop on popular weight-loss diets? As I reviewed diets and read the books and research, several concepts became clear. Here are some observations:

• Your health is more important than your weight. A diet must not only be safe and effective, it must contribute to your overall good health.
• Many diets are based on sound weight-loss concepts but do not necessarily promote overall good health
• Most diet plans narrowly adheres to one primary concept, one primary plan, and often one primary product. Too often, the diet plan becomes the basis for a marketing plan.
• The most effective weight-loss plans are stringent, detailed and difficult to follow. The dropout failure rate is high.
• Processed food producers offering “diet” foods have no interest in your health and their “diet” products are worthless even hazardous to your health.
• Diet advice from medical institutions and government agencies is generally inaccurate and often based on misinformation promoted by the food and drug industries.
• There is no one or combination of drugs, prescription or over-the-counter, that will enable you to lose weight and be healthy. Period.
• What works for each individual is somewhat different and the best strategy is to adopt those concepts that are supported by a consensus of scientific evidence, validated by human studies and which contribute to your overall good health.

Remember these concepts; they can be summarized by one simple statement: most of what you read and hear about weight-loss and diets is at best half-truths and often completely false.

Read our page on Diet Plans for more information.