A little extra money here and there isn't a bad thing, but don't spend it on diet ideas that say they'll help you get better health based on myths.
Here are four ways to lose weight that may not work or be very expensive.
Vitamins and other supplements
That's a good question. No one agrees on the effectiveness of many supplements, including multivitamins. Many supplements promise more than they can deliver, and they may even be bad for your health. This is true. 1
You and your doctor should decide which supplements are best for your age, gender, and personal health situation. Some supplements may be of some benefit to some people.
Gluten-Free
The growth of gluten-free foods has been huge. And, in many cases, people have to pay more for them. A type of protein called gluten can be found in wheat, rye, and barley. It's more beneficial than harmful to eat gluten. Gluten is bad for people who have celiac disease, and it can make people with a gluten sensitivity feel bad in their stomachs.
However, there is no proof that a gluten-free diet helps with other health problems or weight loss.2 Unless you are one of the few people in the United States who needs to avoid gluten, you may be wasting your money on gluten-free foods.
Detoxing
Some people say you can lose weight, get rid of "poisons," and treat or prevent a lot of different diseases by drinking certain juices. A lot of people pay a lot for juices that don't live up to their reputation. Indeed, some people may be dangerously unhealthy when they detox. 3
The liver, kidneys, and intestines in your body already do a great job of getting rid of the things that you put in your body. Save the money and let your body do what it was made to do.
Superfoods
There is no standard definition of a "superfood," and nutritionists don't even know what one is. Superfood is more like a marketing ploy than a real scientific study. Before you spend a lot of money on the newest superfood, check to see if the claims are backed up by any qualified research that isn't your own. You might want to help your wallet and stay on a healthy diet if there isn't one.
If you're thinking about going on a diet, you should talk to your doctor about what's best for you.
Financial Diet
January is Financial Wellness month, so stay tuned for financial wellness tips throughout January. And if your spending needs to go on a diet, give us a call for help with financial planning.
1. Washingtonpost.com, January 27, 2020
2. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, December 2020
3. WebMD.com, February 11, 2020
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