Remember when grabbing a lean cuisine to microwave at lunch was all the rage? Well, apparently people have caught on that they those so-called diet foods not only are laden with crappy ingredients, but that they just don’t seem to work long-term. According to this NPR article, Lean Cuisine saw a drop of 15% in sales from 2014 to 2015. Other diet bars and foods have also experienced the same types of falling sales.
Analysts blame the trend in consumers realizing that the specialty diet foods don’t work for keeping the weight off, and don’t focus on overall health. I mean, I have certainly lived long enough to hear about every fad known to man as far as eating goes: no-fat, low-fat, low-carb, high carb, etc. Trends come and go. The next “secret to weight loss” is always right around the corner.
Honestly, I think the first comment on the article {A.F. Kaplan} sums up the response to these so-called diet foods and the solution to weight loss really nicely:
“People have caught on to the fact that these so-called ‘diet foods’ just don’t work. There are no shortcuts to losing and/or maintaining a healthy weight:
a. Eat nutritious food in appropriate portions
b. Exercise regularly.
c. Make sure to drink an adequate amount of water.
d. If you are willing to really change your life and the way you eat, GO VEGAN!”
Okay, so maybe suggestion d. is a little extreme, but overall, I think most people are starting to catch onto this general sentiment. Eat real foods. Don’t overeat. Get movin’.
What do you think? Are diets headed out in exchange for healthy life choices?
~Mavis
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Jeanie says
I know this sounds kind of mean but I have struggled before with weight and the best advice I have ever been given was a doctor who said, “Eat less and walk more. It’s as simple as that.”
I have a myriad of health issues including two rounds of cancer and I still believe that advice.
Mavis Butterfield says
I agree. Eat less, walk more. It’s that simple.
Cheri says
I don’t think that’s mean at all. It’s simple fact. For anyone interested, there is a “diet” plan called The Step Diet that was out on the shelves a few years ago. It’s basic premise is to eat 25% less of what you normally would eat and aim for 10,000 steps on a pedometer that you wear every day. The steps mean walking, but the book provides a way for you to convert other types of exercise, too. I thought it made so much sense.
Ellen in Clackamas says
I do agree that most diets don’t work by themselves. But I lost a lot of weight with Nutrisystem and what I liked about these frozen meals was the portion control. It was quite shocking to see what a “normal” serving of cereal or protein was. Learning that and walking and eating a ton more veggies were the best way for me to take off pounds.
Diane Bernath says
I think the new Weight Watchers program is going to hut the sales of these items hard as well since anything containing fat, sugars and processed foods are higher in points – even the Smart Ones.
Marcia says
I hope so. I think these foods are a gateway to health – mostly learning portion control. But they are expensive and don’t taste good. So once you realize that, you move on.
Of course people need to learn how to cook.
Brooke says
I believe that a plant-based, whole foods diet is the best for our bodies, and also best for the planet. The current industrialized agricultural system is just awful, for the poor animals, and for the environment. My HH and I have been vegetarian for almost a decade, but after recently watching Cowspiracy we are making the switch to vegan. I also feel it right to mention that we are both a healthy weight, and neither of us ever gets sick, ever.
Erin says
If any of these things worked, wouldn’t they ultimately go out of business? Everyone would lose weight and keep it off and they wouldn’t be needed anymore. Not a good business model, unless they know people can’t sustain it and will keep coming back.
Connie says
For me, personally – I despise the word “diet” because I LOVE TO EAT! and I have the physique to prove it. However – as a result of following this blog, I found myself drawn to one small curiosity some time ago … ingredient labels … thank you, Mavis. I have become a full-on label reader and when I run into ingredients I don’t recognize (and in most cases can’t pronounce), I don’t purchase. This new habit has completely challenged the way I grocery shop and prepare meals. It helped me to decide with determined finality to quit smoking (I know, you’d think THAT label would have been first … ha! … don’t judge). I now have the energy to go for a vigorous walk almost daily. AND it has breathed new life into my approach to gardening and growing the simple produce we enjoy. My journey is a slow and perfectly flawed process and I’m cool with that … it’s working for me. I’m okay and I’m on my way! Take that, prepackaged crappity crap food companies. 🙂
Stacey says
You go girl! 🙂
Deborah from FL says
Great job Connie! 🙂
Laura says
I’ve been vegan for almost 6 years. Once I realized how great it made me feel it was easy and did not feel extreme. Whole foods beat frozen, processed foods any day plus taste way better. And it’s cheaper.
mandy says
I hope these types of items are on their way out. I had an issue with my weight and nothing worked untill I stopped eating “diet” “low fat” and “no fat”. I was so frustrated with it all. I just thought, do what I want to be happy. Just keep portions of regular food smaller and part of being happy is spending time outdoors in my garden. ( Workin my hinie off ) I found out later that many of these food items actually add more sugar to their products to compensate for lack of fat. I’d much rather eat raw fresh food. I’d even rather eat fat than extra sugar. Just to help keep diabetes at bay. I know neither are “good”. It will be interesting to see how things go with with the diet convenience foods