2000-2009 Diet Crazes

Was your resolution for the New Year to lose a few pounds? In the spirit of resolutions, here is a look at some of the fad diets that reigned in the past decade, as well as some less popular hits.

1. Atkins’ Diet: The idea behind one of the most popular dieting crazes of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s actually began in 1972 when Dr. Robert C. Atkins published his landmark book. The idea behind the diet was simple – eliminate carbohydrates almost completely from the diet, while keeping a steady intake of protein and fat. By doing this, the body is forced to eliminate storage of carbohydrates, which is often stored in the abdomen and other fat deposits in the body.

Atkins’ diet worked to help people lose weight, but it also sparked the high fat content craze in restaurants everywhere. Soon places like Subway were replacing bread with low-carb wraps, filling them with bacon and ranch dressing, and touting them as health foods. Sure, the people following Atkins’ diet strictly were likely shedding pounds, but those substituting low-fat proteins for bacon and red meat may have jeopardized their health significantly.

2. The South Beach Diet: Developed by Miami cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston, the idea behind The South Beach Diet is to train the body to burn energy more efficiently. The author emphasizes that the idea is not to eat a low-carb or low-fat diet, but to eat the right fats and right carbohydrates. By following this regiment, the user can have a healthier lifestyle without giving up their favorite foods.

The South Beach Diet was an instant hit – the book became a #1 New York Time Bestseller, and packaged food companies began adding South Beach Diet labels to their packaging. The diet itself has three phases, so that someone training to eat a certain way can get used to eating different foods.

3. Chocolate Diet: It sounds totally absurd, but some claim that you can actually lose weight by eating chocolate every day. In fact, there are at least two different books on the topic that were published in the last decade (one by Sally Ann Voak and one by David Masters). The chocolate diets allow those who can not live without chocolate to eat it everyday, and to replace other fattening foods with raw fruits and vegetables.

4. Baby Food Diet: Yes. That’s right. A diet that centers around adults eating baby food. What started in Hollywood spread quickly across the country as a quick way to lose a few pounds. Too bad it involves eating a ton of baby food.

5. Weight Watchers: The lifestyle management system that claims not to be a diet relies on a point system that assigns a certain number of points for certain foods. People on the plan are allotted a certain number of points per week based on age, weight and goals, and can earn extra points for exercise. Weight Watchers promotes keeping a meal log to track what you’ve eaten in a week, month, etc.

6. Acai Berry Diets: After Oprah promoted Acai berries on her show, the phenomenon took off. Supplements began popping up everywhere in 2009, as the berries are packed with anti-oxidants. Though it may not help you lose too much weight, the strong anti-oxidants easily became the fastest growing and latest diet trend.

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