“The diet industry is a 3.8-billion-dollar industry, and they didn’t get here by providing plans with long-term results,” says Brittany L. Jones, registered dietitian and CEO of the Brittany Jones Nutrition Group.
Jones and other local nutrition- and lifestyle-focused healthcare providers receive dozens more inquiries at the turn of the new year, as people look for weight loss and food-related help. The consensus among some of those local experts, however, is contrary to what consumers have been trained to believe.
“The diet industry business model is to sell a short-term fix, knowing that the client won’t be able to stick to it, tell you that you don’t have any willpower, and then to sell them another short-term fix after the first one expectedly fails,” Jones says. “This cycle perpetuates for years and even decades for some clients—think low fat in the ’90s, low carb in ’00s, fasting in the ’10s, etc. I think people are finally starting to realize that if diets actually worked, the industry would essentially put themselves out of business.”
Amanda Morris, who earned a master of science in food, nutrition, and culinary sciences and is a current Meredith College dietetic intern, addresses some of the popular diet trends she’s seeing in her residency:
“There are many diet trends that seem to be floating around—keto, intermittent fasting, juice cleanses/detox. These diet trends are typically a temporary quick fix, promote fear-mongering over food, and may lead to restriction. Anything promising results that are too good to be true likely are. I would recommend working with a dietitian to improve your relationship with food.”
Balance over Dieting
In other words, “Dieting is the No. 1 risk factor for eating disorders,” Jones says.
One of the consistent buzzwords in diet culture over the last two decades has been “low-carb,” and there’s no indication it will disappear anytime soon. DeAndra Reasonover-Winjobi, founder of health and wellness coaching service VV Spot, holds a master’s degree in health promotion, education, and behavior. She sees low-carb questions pop up frequently.
“The low-carb diet, which a lot of these trendy diets incorporate, gives the false narrative that carbs are bad for you, and then people wonder why they have low energy. Healthy carbohydrates include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Those same foods provide vitamins and minerals to your body that help lower your risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.
Because she also promotes balanced plant-based eating with her clients, she hears about folks attempting to transition to a vegan diet without expert guidance. “They just automatically go to eating French fries, Beyond meats, and other highly processed options,” she says.
Nutrition is an evolving science and it’s constantly being studied, so it’s important to wait for a claim to undergo several research studies before using it as the basis for an eating change, Jones says.
“Be sure to talk with your doctor and/or a registered dietitian who is an expert in food and nutrition before making changes in your diet,” she says. “For example, I often work with clients who followed the Paleo diet, only to end up in my office with high cholesterol. Many trends can be harmful to your health, and it’s important to have a medical professional look over your entire medical history before making any diet changes or following a trend.”
After years of working with clients who have had to rethink their relationship with food, Jones says she’s seeing a lot of positive change and interest in the intentional or intuitive eating approach over dieting, which removes the “bad” label on food and focuses on what the body needs and communicates.
“I am really excited to see the truth about the diet industry being exposed, and to be hearing from clients who are looking to get out of the diet cycle,” she says. “People don’t want a quick fix—they want to be able to play with their grandkids one day, to feel their best, and live a long, healthy life. It’s not just about the scale anymore—it’s about the quality of life.”
Some Well-Balanced Restaurants:
Interested in a vegan lifestyle?
- If you have a health condition, first consult your primary care physician before beginning (this goes for any trend or dietary transition).
- Aim to consume 80 percent of your foods as minimally processed sources (i.e. lentils, fresh fruits, vegetables, etc.)
- Look at what you typically like to eat in your current (omnivorous) lifestyle and examine ways to make it plant-based.
- Visit vv-spot.com/how-to-create-a-balanced-vegan-plate for information on a balanced vegan plate.
