“Most fad diets will produce weight loss in the short-term,” says Tina Crook, an associate professor in the UAMS Dietetics & Nutrition program. “They work because you are restricting certain foods, which limits the number of calories you take in.” She says to ask some key questions when thinking about going on a diet, including:

  • Does it eliminate a food group?
  • Is the diet in line with health recommendations?
  • Is there scientific evidence behind the diet?
  • And perhaps the biggest: Is this a diet you could follow for the rest of your life?

"If not, the positive results you see will only be temporary,” Crook says.

Protein Overload

Though protein-enriched energy bars and even breakfast cereals have become a common sight on grocery store shelves in recent years, it’s easy to lose sight of the established guidelines for protein intake.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine says the average American gets double the protein his body needs. Because protein overload has negative impacts on the body, it’s important to know the facts.

How do you know how much protein you need? Take your body weight in pounds and multiply it by 0.36 to get your recommended daily allowance for protein in grams.