The road to better health may sometimes involve an extra expense here and there, but you should be careful about wasting money on diet ideas whose promises are more based on myth than fact. Identified below are four diet strategies that may be ineffective and financially expensive.
Multi Vitamins
There is no clear evidence of multi-vitamins’ health efficacy, according to the Annals of Internal Medicine.¹ Not only are they of little-to-no value, but, in excess, they can be harmful. Some supplements may be of some use to some people, but determining the right supplement for your age, gender and personal health status is one best made between you and your physician.
Gluten Free
The growth of gluten-free products has been explosive. And, in many cases, consumers are paying a higher premium for them. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, and is more beneficial than detrimental. Gluten is harmful to individuals with celiac disease and can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in individuals with a gluten sensitivity.
However, there is no evidence to suggest that a gluten-free diet helps with other health issues or losing weight. Unless you are one of the minority of Americans who truly needs to avoid gluten, you may be wasting money on gluten-free products.
Detoxing
Body detoxification using special juices has been touted as a way to lose weight, rid the body of “poisons” and treat or prevent any number of diseases. These expensive juices, however, don’t live up to their billing. Indeed, detoxing may be dangerously unhealthy to some people.
Your body already does a wonderful job of detoxing, thanks to your liver, kidneys and intestines. Save the money and let your body do what it’s ideally designed to do.
Superfoods
There is no generally accepted definition of a superfood, and it certainly has no meaning among nutrition scientists. Superfood is more marketing than it is science. Before you spend good money on the latest superfood, find out if the claims are backed by any independent qualified research. If there is none, save your money and stick with a balanced diet.
If you’re considering a diet, you should consult your physician to determine the best approach for you.
Social Post: Some diets lighten nothing but your wallet. Here’s a few to avoid.
annals.org, 2014. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2015 FMG Suite.
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