Trendy Diet of the Decade: Weight Loss Goes Holistic

Thanks, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow: you, as well as other celebrities, helped so-called "holistic" weight loss become trendy. The problem: taking a bite out of a holistic diet can be dangerous to your health. It's not all bad, though - here's what you need to know before you nibble on a weight loss plan that's marketed as holistic.

1. Consider the source. If the diet plan comes from a book authored by a medical doctor, it probably is healthier than one that has no author listed -- and that you came across on the Internet. Regardless, you still should (as always before you change your diet) check with your own physician.

2. Beware of plans called "detox diets."
You might be tempted by promises that they will cleanse your system, magically make your skin look a decade younger, and/or let you lose ten pounds in a day. But....there is no medical evidence that following a detox plan such as drinking bizarre concoctions like lemon juice, water, pepper, and maple syrup will accomplish any of those promises. In addition, for those with medical conditions such as diabetes, a detox diet can be dangerous to your health.

3. Avoid any holistic food plan that requires you to buy expensive vitamins, minerals, supplements, foods, or drinks. You won't lose additional weight -- but you will lose your money. In addition, if you're on prescription medications or have a medical condition such as hypertension, some ingredients may be downright dangerous. For example, a beverage containing massive doses of caffeine can cause dangerously high blood pressure in someone who already has hypertension. Save your money and your health, and step away from such programs.

4. Do consider healthy lifestyles holistic cookbooks after reading the reviews carefully. One of my personal favorites just happens to be authored by Oprah Winfrey's favorite vegan chef, Chef Tal Ronnen! Titled The Conscious Cook: Delicious Meatless Recipes That Will Change the Way You Eat (Hardcover), the book contains some fabulously tasty, yet healthy, recipes that will transform your views on vegetarian foods. It's eco-friendly AND diet-friendly!

5. Do consider advice such as meditation, yoga, and other relaxing practices. Many of the holistic food plan books and holistic diet books or articles include suggestions on how to incorporate relaxation and stress-reduction into your life, from meditation to yoga. Such practices can be beneficial to your health. Just be sure that if it involves fitness, such as yoga, you are medically cleared to begin.