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Drinking olive oil: a health and beauty elixir or celebrity fad in a shot glass?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hazel-flight-536221">Hazel Flight</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edge-hill-university-1356">Edge Hill University</a></em></p> <p>In the ever-changing world of wellness trends and celebrity endorsed health fads there is a new trend on the scene: daily olive oil shots.</p> <p>Celebrities such as <a href="https://poosh.com/why-kourtney-kardashian-drinks-tablespoon-evoo/">Kourtney Kardashian</a>, Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow and <a href="https://www.womanandhome.com/life/news-entertainment/jennifer-lopez-credits-her-grandmas-crazy-beauty-secret-for-glowing-skin-and-chances-are-you-already-have-it-at-home/">Jennifer Lopez</a> all extol the virtues of swigging extra virgin as well as slathering it on their skin, crediting olive oil for their glowing complexions.</p> <p>Lopez even based her JLo Beauty brand around the kitchen staple, claiming that her age-defying looks were not the result of botox or surgery but the family beauty secret: <a href="https://graziamagazine.com/us/articles/jennifer-lopez-skincare-routine/">moisturising with olive oil</a>.</p> <p>And she’s in good company. Hollywood star <a href="https://jnews.uk/goldie-hawn-swears-by-olive-oil-for-perfect-skin-at-76-best-life/">Goldie Hawn reportedly drinks olive oil</a> before bed and uses it topically as a moisturiser, while <a href="https://www.redonline.co.uk/beauty/a31184313/julia-roberts-olive-oil-hair-skin/">beauty icon Sophia Loren</a> really goes to town by bathing in the stuff.</p> <p>While these celebrities swear by the skin beautifying properties of olive oil, some skin types should <a href="https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1182&amp;context=jdvi#:%7E:text=Background%3A%20Dry%20skin%20or%20xerosis,water%20in%20the%20stratum%20corneum.">give it a swerve</a>. Those <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.14436">prone to acne</a> or eczema, for example, might find the <a href="https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(21)00813-7/fulltext">olive oil exacerbates their problems</a>. Some <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22995032/">dermatologists warn against</a> using it as skin care altogether – bad news for JLo.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3F7uc9jV9V4?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Thanks largely to celebrity promotion, drinking olive oil has now become a <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/lifestyle/tiktok-dua-lipa-ice-cream-olive-oil-b2479725.html">worldwide TikTok sensation</a>. Viral videos show influencers tossing back shots of cult olive oil brands, and proclaiming a wide range of health benefits from improving digestion to clearing up acne.</p> <p>Celebrity and influencers are sold on liquid gold but what about the rest of us? Can drinking olive oil really work on miracles for our health?</p> <h2>The benefits of olive oil</h2> <p>There’s no doubt that olive oil is full of good stuff. It’s high in polyphenols and antioxidants, which have protective qualities for the body’s tissues. It’s also a rich source of essential fatty acids, including oleic acid, which is known for <a href="https://foodrevolution.org/blog/olives-and-olive-oil-benefits/#:%7E:text=Compared%20with%20olives%2C%20olive%20oil,in%20polyphenols%20and%20antioxidants%2C%20however">lowering cholesterol</a> so reducing the chances of heart disease.</p> <p>Research has found that the inclusion of olive oil in the diet shows encouraging effects in a variety of <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu11092039">inflammatory and medical diseases</a> and can <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffnut.2022.980429">support weight management</a> if used correctly.</p> <p>Replacing butter, margarine, mayonnaise and dairy fat with olive oil has been linked to a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jacc.2021.10.041">lower risk of mortality</a>. There’s also evidence to suggest that the protective compounds in olive oil may help <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0261649">guard against cancer</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10376491/">dementia</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29141573/">support the liver</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7916323/">and kidneys</a>.</p> <p>But none of this is new information to health professionals. The health benefits of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7466243/">extra virgin olive oil</a> are <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu11092039">well researched</a> and nutritionists have promoted olive oil as a swap for saturated cooking fat for years.</p> <p>After all, the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7536728/">Mediterranean diet</a> has been touted as one of the healthiest diets in the world for decades. The diet itself can vary from region to region, but <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu15092127">virgin olive oil</a> is a <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu11092039">consistent element</a>. It’s used as the <a href="https://www.themediterraneandish.com/cooking-with-olive-oil/">main source of cooking fat</a> and included in everything from salad dressings to bread.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/krFcE5IPT7g?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>Can fat be healthy? Yes and no</h2> <p>Fats are crucial for a balanced diet, aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A,D,E,K and enhancing the nutritional value of meals.</p> <p>However, fat of any kind is also dense in calories and excessive consumption <a href="https://doi.org/10.1159/000336848">can lead to weight gain</a>. According to the <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/17-07-2023-who-updates-guidelines-on-fats-and-carbohydrates">World Health Organization</a>, to prevent unhealthy weight gain, adults should limit their intake of fat to 30% of total energy intake with no more than 10% coming from saturated fats.</p> <p>Two tablespoons of olive oil – the standard amount in the shots taken by celebrities and social media influencers – contain 28g of fat (238 calories) and 3.8g of saturated fat equating to <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171413/nutrients">19% of the recommended daily intake</a>.</p> <p>That daily shot of extra virgin, then, might not be the best idea. Adding small amounts of olive oil to meals throughout the day is a more balanced – and appetising – approach to incorporating healthy fats into your diet.</p> <p>But what about Kourtney Kardashian’s <a href="https://poosh.com/why-kourtney-kardashian-drinks-tablespoon-evoo/#:%7E:text=First%20things%20first%2C%20it's%20recommended,a.m.%20(every%20other%20day).">claim that</a>: “It’s recommended to consume extra virgin olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach so the oil can coat your system and neutralize your stomach walls for optimal benefits?”</p> <p><a href="https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/briefs/consuming-olive-oil-on-an-empty-stomach-health-benefits/91503">Some brands</a> have also echoed the idea that consuming olive oil on an empty stomach offers unique health benefits. But no. There’s no scientific evidence to suggest this is true.</p> <p>For a healthy but more satisfying snack, Kourtney might try including a handful of olives into her daily diet. Olives offer the same rich array of nutrients, including vitamins E, A and K, alongside essential minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and amino acids.</p> <p>Unlike olive oil, olives have the added benefit of a high fibre content. The combination of fat and fibre enhances feelings of satiety, making olives a nutritious addition to the diet.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224018/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hazel-flight-536221">Hazel Flight</a>, Programme Lead Nutrition and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edge-hill-university-1356">Edge Hill University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/drinking-olive-oil-a-health-and-beauty-elixir-or-celebrity-fad-in-a-shot-glass-224018">original article</a>.</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Yes, Adele has sung its praises. But the Sirtfood diet may be just another fad

<p>The Sirtfood diet has been in the news again this week after singer Adele showed off her slimmed-down figure on US comedy show Saturday Night Live.</p> <p>Adele has previously credited her significant weight loss to the Sirtfood diet. Following her appearance on SNL, there was a spike in people searching the diet on Google.</p> <p>But what exactly is the Sirtfood diet, and does it work?</p> <p><strong>What’s the premise?</strong><br />Two nutritionists in the United Kingdom launched the Sirtfood diet in 2016.</p> <p>The premise is that a group of proteins called sirtuins, which are involved in regulation of metabolism, inflammation and ageing, can be accelerated by eating specific foods rich in a class of phytonutrients called polyphenols.</p> <p>Phytonutrients are chemical compounds plants produce to help them grow well or defend themselves. Research is continuing to shed light on their potential benefits for human health.</p> <p>The idea is that eating foods rich in polyphenols, referred to as “Sirtfoods”, will increase the body’s ability to burn fat, boosting metabolism and leading to dramatic weight loss.</p> <p>Common Sirtfoods include, apples, soybean, kale, blueberries, strawberries, dark chocolate (85% cocoa), red wine, matcha green tea, onions and olive oil. The Sirtfood diet gets some of its fame because red wine and chocolate are on the list.</p> <p><strong>Two phases</strong><br />The diet involves two phases over three weeks. During the first three days, total energy intake is restricted to 4,200 kilojoules per day (or 1,000 Calories).</p> <p>To achieve this, you drink three sirtfood green juice drinks that include kale, celery, rocket, parsley, matcha green tea and lemon juice. You also eat one “Sirtfood” meal, such as a chicken and kale curry.</p> <p>On days four to seven, you have 2-3 green juices and one or two meals up to a total energy intake of 6,300 kJ/day (1,500kcal).</p> <p>During the next two weeks — phase two — total energy intake should be in the range of 6,300-7,500 kJ/day (1,500-1,800 kcal) with three meals, one green juice, and one or two Sirtfood snacks.</p> <p>There’s a diet book available for purchase which gives you the recipes.</p> <p>After three weeks, the recommendation is to eat a “balanced diet” rich in Sirtfoods, along with regular green juices.</p> <p><strong>Positives</strong><br />The idea of losing a lot of weight in just three weeks will appeal to many people.</p> <p>The eating plan encourages a range of polyphenol-rich foods that are also good sources of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, and would be recommended in a range of diets designed to assist with weight management, or as part of a healthy, balanced eating plan.</p> <p>A weight loss diet will be effective if it achieves sustained total daily energy restriction. So the biggest benefit of the Sirtfood diet is the daily energy restriction — you are likely to lose weight if you stick to it.</p> <p>Also, the exclusion of energy-dense, ultra-processed “junk” foods will help lower the risk for chronic disease.</p> <p>But there are drawbacks to consider too.</p> <p><strong>Negatives</strong><br />It would be wise to watch the portion size for some of the foods listed, such as red wine and chocolate.</p> <p>Like most restrictive diets, phase one may be challenging and is not recommended for people with underlying health conditions without the supervision of a health professional.</p> <p>The rapid weight loss in the first phase will reflect a loss of water and glycogen, the stored form of energy in muscles and the liver, rather than being all body fat.</p> <p>Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of gallstones and amenorrhoea (missing menstrual periods).</p> <p>The food list includes specific products that may be hard to locate in Australia, such as lovage, a European leafy green plant whose leaves can used used as a herb, roots as a vegetable and seeds as a spice. Some other items on the list can be expensive.</p> <p><strong>Sirt science</strong><br />Most research has looked at the sirtuin-mediated effects of energy restriction in worms, mice or specific body tissues. No studies have tested the effect of diets that vary polyphenol content on the action of sirtuins in mediating weight loss.</p> <p>A search on PubMed, the scientific database of research studies, didn’t locate any human trials of the Sirtfood diet. So the short answer about whether the Sirtfood diet works or not is we don’t know.</p> <p>The authors’ claims about effectiveness are based on anecdotal information from their own research and from personal testimonials, such as the one from Adele.</p> <p>Considering the hype surrounding the Sirtfood diet against a checklist on spotting a fad diet sounds alarm bells. For example:</p> <ul> <li>does it promote or ban specific foods?</li> <li>does it promote a one-size-fits-all approach?</li> <li>does it promise quick, dramatic results?</li> <li>does it focus only on short-term results?</li> <li>does it make claims based on personal testimonials?</li> </ul> <p>Looking at the Sirtfood diet, the answers to most of these questions seem to be “yes”, or at least a partial yes.</p> <p>The best diet for weight loss is one that meets your nutrient requirements, promotes health and well-being, and that you can stick with long-term.</p> <p><em>Written by Clare Collins, Lee Ashton and Rebecca Williams. This article first appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-adele-has-sung-its-praises-but-the-sirtfood-diet-may-be-just-another-fad-148902">The Conversation</a>.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Adele has sung its praises but the Sirtfood diet may be just another fad

<p>The Sirtfood diet has been <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/10/24/snl-host-adeles-weight-loss-with-sirtfood-diet-inspires-fans/">in the news</a> again this week after singer Adele showed off her slimmed-down figure on US comedy show Saturday Night Live.</p> <p>Adele has <a href="https://coach.nine.com.au/diet/sirtfood-diet-behind-adeles-weight-loss-explained-by-a-dietitian/552b4d0e-c543-4095-8564-e9e819489215">previously credited</a> her significant weight loss to the Sirtfood diet. Following her appearance on SNL, there was a spike in people searching the diet <a href="https://trends.google.com.au/trends/explore?q=Sirtfood&amp;geo=US">on Google</a>.</p> <p>But what exactly is the Sirtfood diet, and does it work?</p> <p><strong>What’s the premise?</strong></p> <p>Two nutritionists in the United Kingdom launched the Sirtfood diet <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-sirtfood-diet">in 2016</a>.</p> <p>The premise is that a group of proteins called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirtuin">sirtuins</a>, which are involved in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24115767/">regulation of metabolism, inflammation and ageing</a>, can be accelerated by eating specific foods rich in a class of phytonutrients called polyphenols.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/phytonutrients-can-boost-your-health-here-are-4-and-where-to-find-them-including-in-your-next-cup-of-coffee-132100">Phytonutrients</a> are chemical compounds plants produce to help them grow well or defend themselves. Research is continuing to shed light on their potential benefits for human health.</p> <p>The idea is that eating <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21045839/">foods rich in polyphenols</a>, referred to as “Sirtfoods”, will increase the body’s ability to burn fat, boosting metabolism and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23043250/">leading to dramatic weight loss</a>.</p> <p>Common Sirtfoods include, apples, soybean, kale, blueberries, strawberries, dark chocolate (85% cocoa), red wine, matcha green tea, onions and olive oil. The Sirtfood diet gets some of its fame because red wine and chocolate are on the list.</p> <p><strong>Two phases</strong></p> <p>The diet involves <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-sirtfood-diet">two phases</a> over three weeks. During the first three days, total energy intake is restricted to 4,200 kilojoules per day (or 1,000 Calories).</p> <p>To achieve this, you drink three sirtfood green juice drinks that include kale, celery, rocket, parsley, matcha green tea and lemon juice. You also eat one “Sirtfood” meal, such as a chicken and kale curry.</p> <p>On days four to seven, you have 2-3 green juices and one or two meals up to a total energy intake of 6,300 kJ/day (1,500kcal).</p> <p>During the next two weeks — phase two — total energy intake should be in the range of 6,300-7,500 kJ/day (1,500-1,800 kcal) with three meals, one green juice, and one or two Sirtfood snacks.</p> <p>There’s a <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/25/adele-weight-loss-what-is-the-sirtfood-diet-and-is-there-a-sirtfood-diet-recipe-book-13476892/">diet book</a> available for purchase which gives you the recipes.</p> <p>After three weeks, the recommendation is to eat a “balanced diet” rich in Sirtfoods, along with regular green juices.</p> <p><strong>Positives</strong></p> <p>The idea of losing a lot of weight in just three weeks will appeal to many people.</p> <p>The eating plan encourages a range of polyphenol-rich foods that are also good sources of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, and would be recommended in a range of diets designed to assist with weight management, or as part of a healthy, balanced eating plan.</p> <p>A weight loss diet will be effective if it achieves sustained total daily energy restriction. So the biggest benefit of the Sirtfood diet is the daily energy restriction — you are likely to lose weight if you stick to it.</p> <p>Also, the exclusion of energy-dense, ultra-processed “junk” foods will help <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33012621/">lower the risk for chronic disease</a>.</p> <p>But there are drawbacks to consider too.</p> <p><strong>Negatives</strong></p> <p>It would be wise to watch the portion size for some of the foods listed, such as red wine and chocolate.</p> <p>Like most restrictive diets, phase one may be challenging and is not recommended for people with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31207126/">underlying health conditions</a> without the supervision of a health professional</p> <p>The rapid weight loss in the first phase will reflect a loss of water and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycogen">glycogen</a>, the stored form of energy in muscles and the liver, rather than being all body fat.</p> <p>Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of <a href="https://theconversation.com/got-gallstones-heres-what-to-eat-and-avoid-53229">gallstones</a> and <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstruation-amenorrhoea">amenorrhoea</a> (missing menstrual periods).</p> <p>The food list includes specific products that may be hard to locate in Australia, such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovage">lovage</a>, a European leafy green plant whose leaves can used used as a herb, roots as a vegetable and seeds as a spice. Some other items on the list can be expensive.</p> <p><strong>Sirt science</strong></p> <p>Most research has looked at the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24115767/">sirtuin-mediated effects</a> of energy restriction in worms, mice or specific body tissues. No studies have tested the effect of diets that vary polyphenol content on the action of sirtuins in mediating weight loss.</p> <p>A search on PubMed, the scientific database of research studies, didn’t locate any human trials of the Sirtfood diet. So the short answer about whether the Sirtfood diet works or not is we don’t know.</p> <p>The authors’ claims about effectiveness are based on anecdotal information from their own research and from personal testimonials, such as the one from Adele.</p> <p>Considering the hype surrounding the Sirtfood diet against a checklist on <a href="https://theconversation.com/blood-type-pioppi-gluten-free-and-mediterranean-which-popular-diets-are-fads-104867">spotting a fad diet</a> sounds alarm bells. For example:</p> <ul> <li>does it promote or ban specific foods?</li> <li>does it promote a one-size-fits-all approach?</li> <li>does it promise quick, dramatic results?</li> <li>does it focus only on short-term results?</li> <li>does it make claims based on personal testimonials?</li> </ul> <p>Looking at the Sirtfood diet, the answers to most of these questions seem to be “yes”, or at least a partial yes.</p> <p>The best diet for weight loss is one that meets your nutrient requirements, promotes health and well-being, and that you can stick with long-term.</p> <p><em>Written by <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clare-collins-7316">Clare Collins</a>, University of Newcastle; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lee-ashton-336722">Lee Ashton</a>, University of Newcastle, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-williams-354598">Rebecca Williams</a>, University of Newcastle. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-adele-has-sung-its-praises-but-the-sirtfood-diet-may-be-just-another-fad-148902">The Conversation.</a></em></p>

Food & Wine

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Why fad diets never work

<p>"Want to lose weight fast?"</p> <p>"YES" we all say in our heads, as we're paying attention to the carefully crafted social media post, or TV commercial.</p> <p>Next come the convincing before and after shots, the guarantee on how "it's so easy", a smiling celebrity, and we're climbing on the bandwagon.</p> <p>The approach is so simple it's almost embarrassing, and yet it's worked on us for decades.</p> <p>A far back as the 1930s, the Evening Post newspaper spouted 'recommendations' from the US on slimming: two weeks of bananas and skimmed milk, followed by two weeks of whatever you like.</p> <p>Around that time, we also hailed smoking as a way to combat weight gain, ignoring mounting evidence about its health effects until the 1950s.</p> <p>Looking back, it all seems so obvious. Smoking is bad for our health. Sugary drinks aren't good for us.</p> <p>But fast forward to 2017 and we still market sugar to children, we still get sucked in by celebrity weight loss stories, and we're still buying diet soda.</p> <p>Perhaps the most influential diet of them all was one that peaked in the last decade, with a little help from Instagram filters and hipsters: paleo.</p> <p>Arguably, paleo isn't restrictive enough to be labelled a fad, but the diet undoubtedly became trendy, peaking in popularity about 2013.</p> <p>It coasted off the movement towards clean eating, encouraging people to switch out grains and dairy for protein.</p> <p>Shortly before paleo arrived, the lemon detox diet promoted rapid weight loss through consuming nothing but lemon water, with cayenne pepper and a sugary syrup for 10 days.</p> <p>Although widely condemned by health professionals, the lemon detox diet is still marketed to anyone "looking for maximum weight loss in a short period of time," according to a New Zealand website which sells lemon detox kits.</p> <p>Written online testimonials, including one from a 15-year-old, boast fast results, feelings of exuberance and glowing skin.</p> <p>However, one nutritionist and UK registered dietitian, Siobhan Miller, says "fad diets just don't work".</p> <p>"Fad diets might help you lose weight, until you get fed-up, start over-eating and choose less healthy foods and pile the pounds back on."</p> <p>Miller emphasised the damaging long-term effects that quick-fix, drastic diets can do to our bodies.</p> <p>"Rapid weight loss is not sustainable and yo-yo dieting - where weight is lost and then regained over the years - leads to being heavier than when you first started.</p> <p>"A very restrictive diet of any kind is most likely to be lacking in essential nutrients."</p> <p>The tried-and-true celebrity endorsement should be taken with a grain of salt, she said.</p> <p>"Remember that celebrities are not experts in nutrition and have limited knowledge of nutrition so don't be sucked in by fantastic claims."</p> <p>Excess weight creeped up over many years, so we had to give our bodies time to adjust to weight loss, she said.</p> <p>"It's not a surprise that when someone feels the urge to tackle weight they look for a quick fix. [But] there is no magic bullet and weight is not going to be lost quickly."</p> <p>All this noise just added to the confusion about what and how we were supposed to eat, Tauranga dietitian Fiona Boyle said.</p> <p>"You have got to think of what you could sustain. Could you see yourself doing it in six months, or six years? Look at the whole picture."</p> <p><strong>How do you spot a fad diet?</strong></p> <p>The Association of UK Dietitians defines a fad diet as: the kind of plan where you eat a very restrictive diet with few foods or an unusual combination of foods for a short period of time and often lose weight very quickly.</p> <p><em>Written by Rachel Thomas. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p>

Body

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Funniest fitness fads of 2015

<p>2015 was the year of fitness fads! Well, it seems like that anyway. Every year more and more crazy fitness trends are born, but we have to say, this year it went to wackier heights than ever before. From prancercising to zombie runs, without further ado here are the fitness fads that took 2015 by storm.</p> <p><strong>1. Prancercise</strong> <em>(video above)</em></p> <p>Prancercise is defined as: A springy, rhythmic way of moving forward, similar to a horse's gait and ideally induced by elation. Actually, it's about strapping on ankle weights, turning up the music and prancing around like a horse. No really, it is, watch the video above.</p> <p><strong>2. Cats on Mats</strong></p> <p>Yep, a yoga class with kittens in the room. Bizarrely enough, there seems to be a real demand for this. Cats roam freely while you attempt to downward dog only to find the little critters climbing on you for fun. Cuteness factor? 10. Workout factor? We're not so sure.</p> <p><strong>3. Hybrid sports</strong></p> <p>Kayak-netball (playing netball whilst on a kayak), SUP-football (trying to bash a football with your paddle while stand up paddleboarding), SUP-yoga (doing yoga on your paddleboard and trying not to fall into the water), and other such genius hybrids were big this year.</p> <p><strong>4. Zombie runs</strong></p> <p>Dressing up as zombies and freaking out all the humans by running during the day. Not even at night. Scary.</p> <p><strong>5. Retrosweat</strong></p> <p>Now this is a fun one, because we should all be allowed to do aerobics like we're Jane Fonda from the 80's while jumping up and down to Michael Jackson and Prince.</p> <p><strong>6. Trampolining fitness</strong></p> <p>Trampoline parks are opening up all over the place. Where you can see nothing but trampolines in sight and you can bounce to your heart's content. They also run fitness classes which are fun, but do be warned: if you hurt yourself, you will really hurt yourself.</p> <p><strong>7. Rollerskating</strong></p> <p>Remember rollerskating? The joy of four wheels over two? Yes, it's back and it's beautiful. Rollerskating for fitness is a very freeing exercise and even you weren't an expert as a teenager, you can still give it a go.</p> <p><strong>8. WAFF</strong></p> <p>Huge in France, a WAFF is basically a giant whoopee cushion, and all the pilates/ yoga/ strength/ cardio exercises are done on the WAFF. It's great for core stability and gentle on your joints. It really is an awesome creation.</p> <p><strong>9. Fitness trackers</strong></p> <p>2015 could be renamed as the year of the fitness tracker. If you worked out and didn't track it, it was like you didn't work out at all!</p> <p><strong>10. Yoga mark II</strong></p> <p>How can you make an age-old tradition that has been practiced for centuries more cool? Paddle board yoga, acro yoga, aerial yoga, partner yoga, hip hop yoga, yoga groove, candle lit yoga, vin yoga (that's not a typo for yin yoga. That is "vin" the French word for wine), humming yoga, laughing yoga and so many more.</p> <p><em>Written by Carla McMillan. Appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz. </span></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/mind/2015/11/how-to-banish-negative-thoughts/"></a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/wellbeing/2015/08/cures-from-the-kitchen-cupboard/">8 kitchen cupboard cures for common ailments</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/health/mind/2015/11/how-to-banish-negative-thoughts/"></a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/wellbeing/2015/09/old-wives-tale-medical-advice/">Odd medical advice your mother probably told you</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/health/mind/2015/11/how-to-banish-negative-thoughts/"></a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/wellbeing/2015/09/monday-music-playlist/">Catchy songs to beat the Monday blues</a></em></strong></span></p>

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