Could your trendy
Research has revealed that two-in-five UK adults are showing signs of nutrient deficiencies. Could popular eating regimes followed by stars be to blame? JANE SYMONS investigates
admits Philip Calder, professor of nutritional immunology at the University of Southampton, one of the authors. “Poor nutrient intake is a fact of life in Britain today. Fad diets, conflicting advice, calorie restriction, skipping meals and the popularity of ready meals and takeaways are just a few of the factors driving the risk of nutrient deficiency.”
Dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton, another member of the expert panel behind the report, adds that celebrities are sometimes paid to push these diets or have their own products to promote.
“Being a great actor or starring in a TV reality show does not qualify you to give health and nutrition advice. Unless there are medical reasons for doing it, any eating plan that restricts or demonises particular foods is problematic.” These are just some of the dietary dangers the report identifies: Championed by media medic Dr Michael Mosley and rumoured to be followed by stars including Hugh Jackman and Benedict Cumberbatch, this topped the NHS Choices’ list of most popular diets. It involves restricting calories to 500 or 600 two days a week, then eating normally the rest of the time.
However public health nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire says: “Intermittent fasting, or 5:2 eating, is often presented as a clinically proven and problem-free way to lose weight. Yet most of the studies showing benefits were done in the laboratory, not in human trials and two days of calorie restriction in some cases mean two days of nutrient restriction.”
The British Dietetic Association (BDA) verdict is: “There are lots of versions of this diet, with some less safe than others.” The Dukan diet begins with up to five days of nothing but lean protein and a little oat bran.
Vegetables, fruit and dairy are all banned and fruit and dairy remain off limits during the second phase which continues until the dieter reaches their goal weight.
As the BDA points out: “The Dukan diet is not nutritionally balanced which is acknowledged by the fact you need a vitamin supplement and a fibre top-up.”
Dr Derbyshire warns: “The Dukan diet could increase your risk of long-term health problems if you don’t stick to the rules and take a multivitamin and mineral supplement.” Atkins, the diet that has reportedly helped actress Renée Zellweger and reality star Kim Kardashian shed weight, restricts dieters to just 20g to 25g of carbohydrates in the initial phase. Like the Dukan diet, followers are advised to take a daily multivitamin.
One study, which looked at 27 key nutrients, found the Atkins diet failed to provide the recommended daily intakes of 15 essential vitamins and minerals. The