Daily TribuneEmbarking on a healthier lifestyle is a great goal! While fad and detox diets may offer short-term benefits, the long-term effects can be detrimental to your overall health and fitness goals.
NEW Year, new you.
GO for a healthy diet.
OPT for sustainable lifestyle changes such as getting adequate sleep.
COMPLETE your fitness journey with regular exercise.
REGISTERED nutritionist-dietitian and Benilde School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management culinary nutritionist and associate professor Athena Trifonia Rueda-Tiglao.
Are you eager to be back in shape for 2026? Do you want to look good?
Here are some of my favorite topics for diet counseling after the festive holidays.
New goals every year are common for many. The gyms are now full of health enthusiasts. However, the fitness journey is often marred with fad and detoxification diets. We’ll explore the pros and cons of these trendy approaches to assist beneficial choices on your quest for a healthier lifestyle.
Fad diets such as keto, paleo, and intermittent fasting, while possessing a structured approach, promote quick weight loss. However, these methods may be unsustainable and could cause nutrient imbalances, which may adversely affect health. One may even experience the yo-yo effect, where one gains back all lost weight — and may even double it — once they go back to regular eating habits.
The detox diet claims to flush out toxins while requiring higher water intake. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to back up its claims. It may likewise cause micronutrient deficiencies, low energy levels, muscle loss, and mild starvation.
Embarking on a healthier lifestyle is a great goal! While fad and detox diets may offer short-term benefits, the long-term effects can be detrimental to your overall health and fitness goals.
Instead of opting for extreme measures like crash diets, skipping meals, and nutrient deprivation, consider making sustainable lifestyle changes, such as incorporating balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
No to meal replacements like diet bars, pills, or drinks, which may result in erratic eating patterns. They give false promises as well. Go for natural!
Always consult a healthcare professional or registered nutritionist-dietitian before you engage in any drastic dietary changes to ensure that your approach to getting back in shape is effective.
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Athena Trifonia Rueda-Tiglao is a registered nutritionist-dietitian and a nutrition and wellness consultant. She is a culinary nutritionist and associate professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) of the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde Manila (DLS-CSB) and is currently the secretary of the Benilde Faculty Association. She was awarded by the Benilde Center for Social Action as The Most Engaged Associate Volunteer as a Community Service Program Adviser. She likewise serves as a guest lecturer on Behavior Modification for private companies and government offices and has served as a board member of the Philippine Society of Nutritionists-Dietitians.
