Surging obesity prevalence and the popularity of GLP-1s has created widespread demand for easy ways to lose a substantial amount of weight, fast. At the same time, workplace wellness programs are in the early stages of realizing they must prioritize inclusive and sustainable approaches to health and nutrition. Rather than advocating for restrictive diets that exclude certain foods or food groups, employers should focus on promoting individualized balanced and varied dietary patterns that accommodate diverse preferences and cultural backgrounds.
While expectations for drastic weight loss may have grown with the introduction of GLP-1s, this isn’t a new concept. Easy, fast weight loss… yes, please! Enter the fad diet. Most of us have tried at least one. Whole30, Special K, Keto, grapefruit diet sound familiar? Here’s the thing… traditional diets are not practical, accessible or sustainable. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, they can do more harm than good.
Diets: Promise and pitfalls
These diets typically impose strict rules, eliminating entire food groups or macronutrients. While this may lead to short-term success for some individuals, the impracticality and potential health risks associated with these approaches make them unsuitable.
Research suggests restrictive diets lead to cycles of weight loss and regain known as “yo-yo dieting.” Moreover, the emphasis on certain foods may increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies and metabolic complications, particularly in individuals with preexisting health conditions. The keto diet, for example, can increase the risk of heart disease, low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation and nutrient deficiencies. As such, the potential health risks associated with quick-fix diets must be carefully considered before implementing them as part of a workplace wellness program.
Accessibility and affordability
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that nearly 55 million Americans live in low-income areas with poor access to healthy food. One of the primary concerns with diets is their lack of accessibility and affordability, particularly for individuals from marginalized communities where canned…