Breaking Down the Fad Diets...

I was just gabbing with some friends last night about dieting in the wake of all the overindulgence that is Thanksgiving. Several were discussing their plans to participate in extreme fad diets in the next few weeks in an effort to squeeze into a slinky outfit come New Years. My advice to them? Just keep track of those calories and exercise regularly. After all, fad diets do NOT work. Anywho, I came across this ABCNews.com article today that breaks down the fad diets. Talk about topical! The report features some really good insight, so here are a few of the highlights:

* The new "short-term modified alternate-day fasting" diet, aka the "Feast-and-Famine Diet," works like it sounds. On "famine" days, dieters eat 25 percent of their recommended intake of calories, while on "feast" days they are free to eat as much as they wish. While experts say it may be an option to help obese people lose weight, they also said it's unrealistic and could lead to binging that would not ultimately result in weight loss.

* The 4 Day Diet, which is the brainchild of Dr. Ian Smith of VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" fame, is based on seven mix-and-match four-day-long modules that consist of a defined food group or plan. For example, the Induction module is meant to detoxify and cleanse the system, while the Protein Stretch module incorporates foods such as eggs, lean meat and vegetables; the Smooth module allows people to indulge in forbidden favorites such as pizza. Experts, however, say it does not teach people how to eat a healthy, well balanced, nutrient-dense diet that they can keep eating for the rest of their life.

* Launched by Prevention magazine editor-in-chief Liz Vaccariello, the Flat Belly Diet is built around a 1,600-calorie-per-day strategy that allows dieters to eat four meals per day selected from hundreds of meal possibilities. Central to the diet is the principle that every meal must contain a source of monounsaturated fatty acids to help reduce dangerous belly fat. Some experts gave a tentative thumbs-up to this diet, while others questioned the impact of the fatty acids on a flat abdomen.

* The Full-Fat Diet builds off research in which Swedish scientists found that women who had at least one serving of milk or cheese each day experienced less weight gain than their counterparts who did not. Although there are many different versions of the diet, one of the most prominent proponents of eating foods in their full-fat form is New York-based nutritionist Esther Bloom. Her diet book received some approval from experts, although others questioned her enthusiasm for supplements.

* The controversial Atkins Diet involves drastically reducing the intake of carbohydrates and shifting over to a diet high in protein in fat, a person can force his or her body to burn stored fat more efficiently. Experts say that this diet is perfect - for people who plan to ditch their resolutions and only want short-term weight loss, that is.

* The Mediterranean Diet is designed to emulate the food choices of those who live in areas on the Mediterranean Sea, such as in Italy and Southern France. A true Mediterranean diet is predominantly plant-based, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil. It also incorporates some cheese, yogurt, fresh fish and poultry, with very little red meat. Experts say the diet has benefits, especially in light of France and Italy's much lower obesity rates.

* The Detox Diet is built around the idea that, by eating or avoiding certain foods, you can cleanse -- or "detoxify" -- your body. Most Detox diets are intended to be temporary, lasting a few days or a couple of weeks. Surprisingly (kidding!) experts are united in their disapproval of this one.

* The Zone Diet, developed by Dr. Barry Sears, purports to balance the body's hormone levels within a specific range by controlling the foods that are consumed. It places special emphasis on the moderate intake of low-fat protein, low glycemic-load carbs (such as those found in fruits and vegetables), and monounsaturated fats, as well as all needed nutrients. Experts say it shares the same issue of sustainability with many of the other fad diets.

* Despite their names, neither the "Cleveland Clinic 3-Day Diet" nor the "Mayo Clinic Diet" are endorsed by the prestigious Cleveland or Mayo clinics. The Cleveland Clinic 3-Day Diet features a strict menu which is heavy on black coffee and light on calories. The Mayo Clinic Diet, on the other hand, features a great deal of grapefruit juice and few, if any, carbs. In major DUH! news, Experts say the diets should be avoided by those looking for long-term weight loss.

* The Grapefruit Diet is based around a low-calorie approach, combined with a lot of grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Most variations are short-term weight loss diets, lasting anywhere from a few days to a little more than a week. Experts nixed the diet's effectiveness.

* The South Beach Diet, developed by cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston, is a three-phase plan intended to help adherents lose weight in the short term and keep it off long term. The diet plan also encourages exercise. While experts praised some elements of the diet, others say it's still ineffective in the long-run.

So there you have it, folks. As researchers have said over the years, the best way to lose weight is to exercise and keep an eye on calories and fat. Everything should be in moderation. These so-called fad diets and quick fixes, on the other hand, will only provide fleeting results, if at all.

And now, since it's Friday, here is your happy viral video of the day. This little cutie managed to put a smile on my face - and I don't even particularly like cats!