Popular Diets: Gimmicks or Helpful
There’s an interesting post on the diet blog about the potential effects of the Atkins Bankruptcy. Some critics say that this heralds the end of the low carb diet movement. I say the critics are full of hot air.
Renee from Reneegetsfit says:
“I don’t begrudge Atkins or South Beach in their original forms if it works for people. It’s the exploitation and the boon of supporting products that try to capitalize on the basic by making the very things that are off limits, friendly.
Like South Beach friendly bars or Atkins friendly shakes, when the original readings may have specified to stay off anything processed. It’s a shame really but all one could do is try to be as educated as possible and don’t fall for the latest gimmick.”
That really made me think.
Who is actually fuelling the demand for gimmicks and fad diets? Is it the consumer who buys these products in droves, or is it the authors who are creating the demand? Would an author create a diet book and then make spin off products like bars and shakes if the consumers were not hot for them? I don’t think so.
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:50 am
heh, that’s really chicken or the egg theory isn’t it.
On the one hand you have folks that are ignorant of the basics of nutrition and physical activity, myself included to a certan degree. Add to that, I want it to happen NOW.
On the other, you have a BILLION dollar business that capitalizes on that ignorance and has slick marketing and promotion to seduce the senses.
For me, every step of the way is a battle to walk that fine line between both situations. I try to educate myself as much as I can and try to limit external stimuli like magazines and tv, especially ads.
Sadly what low-fat and low-carb has proved is we have a LONG way to go before the masses wise up.