Every week there's a new "miracle" diet and every year you can't help but wonder: Is THIS the weight loss diet that will finally work, once and for all? There are weight loss programs that work, but there are many more "fads" out there that will temporarily drop your weight (or perhaps make you sick), only to have the pounds return in a few short weeks. Fad diets are tempting, but like eating a rich dessert when you already have a full stomach: resist, resist, resist! In the long run, you will be healthier, thinner and less frustrated.

Fad diets can be deceiving. They are usually described in detail by a book that has been written by an expert with a PhD, or a doctor who is an MD. There may be a list of scientific references that seem to back up the claims (that no one ever checks carefully to make sure they are true). And, tons of people (including all of your friends and family) seem to be following the diet and having great results.

Does this sound familiar? Here are some obvious clues that a diet is a "fad" rather than a recommended approach for permanent weight-loss:

1. It sounds too good or easy to be true.
2. Promises rapid weight loss (5-10 pounds in a week) or "miracle cures".
3. Allows only certain foods or food groups (cutting out others).
4. Promotes a product, special herb, vitamin or other compound.
5. Can only be "followed" temporarily but it's not supervised by a doctor.
6. It's hard to imagine or difficult to follow the diet forever.
7. It doesn't recommend a form of exercise or says that it's unnecessary.
8. Warns that one food or food group will make you seriously ill or worse.
9. Makes recommendations based on published science that are not endorsed by credible organizations or peer reviewed by other scientists.
10. Cites research that is preliminary, based on animals or has very few subjects.

Be a Whiz on the Web

Some domains are more credible than others.

• Most credible: .edu (educational institution) and .gov (government agencies)
• Some credibility: .org (organizations, often nonprofit)
• Least credible: .com (commercial sites) .net (networks) .info (general use) .biz (business)

Reliable Resources

American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org

American Diabetes Association

http://www.diabetes.org

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association)

http://www.eatright.org

American Heart Association

http://www.americanheart.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

http://www.fda.gov

Illinois Department of Public Health

http://www.idph.state.il.us/

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

http://www.nutrition.gov

http://www.mypyramid.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

http://www.healthfinder.gov

http://www.foodsafety.gov

University of Illinois Extension

http://www.extension.illinois.edu