By Cheshire Que

In a land where it is common to be greeted with “Tumaba ka! (You got fat!)” or “Pumayat ka! (You lost weight!)” because saying a simple “Hello or how do you do” won’t suffice, it is not surprising to see fad diets making it big, one after the other. It does not matter whether it is unsafe or not, for as long as it makes one lose weight, it is guaranteed to be popular.

What fuels the desperate need to get into one of these diets or so called “way of eating?” The media certainly plays a big role in impacting an individual’s motivation for pursuing health. Not merely limited to the infinite information about health that are readily available in one click, but also in the way a person views himself or herself relative to what media portrays as the acceptable look.

Filipinos are also greatly influenced by the trends in Western countries. Just look around you and you will see mostly American fast food chains. We like to adapt the Western culture and sometimes to the detriment of our wellbeing. In 2015 to 2016, Cohen, juicing, and meal deliveries became a hit in the Philippines. Where do you think did this meal delivery concept originate? Wasn’t it Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers who popularized diet deliveries in the US?

In 2017, more and more diets came out to give hope or perhaps false hope to dieters. Paleo, HCG, Dukan, Modified Atkins, Intermittent Fasting, and taking centerstage, the Ketogenic Diet. There is no question about the effectiveness of these diets for weight loss. After all, any diet that restricts calories from any food source will eventually lead to some weight loss. What should concern dieters are the sustainability, adverse effects, and long term consequences of these diets.

It has been quite a confusing year for Filipino dieters. Trying to figure out what will work for them given the many diets to choose from.

What then is 2018 going to be like for Filipinos in terms of diet trends?

It is not over for the Ketogenic Diet. It has gained a lot of momentum last year and it will continue to be popular this year, until another appealing fad diet comes along to unseat Keto from its throne.

The Ketogenic Diet has been developed as part of a high fat, low carbohydrate medical nutrition therapy for epilepsy decades ago. It has evolved, however, into a weight loss fad diet.

Recent short term studies have shown promising results for weight loss, blood glucose control, and decrease in lipid blood values (cholesterol and triglycerides). Unfortunately, these studies have not indicated the type of fats consumed. Plant based fats have health benefits including some fatty marine animals but most of the people on Ketogenic diet for weight loss have been observed to consume animal fat sources the likes of bacon, butter, and our very own bulalo which are high in saturated fats.

High intake of animal meats had been associated with cancer as well as cardiovascular diseases. In fact, some studies have shown groups of individuals on Ketogenic diet who have experienced adverse effects ranging from heart diseases, stiffened and clogged arteries or atherosclerosis, pancreatitis, depressed immune system, and reported fatalities. A number of the studies were conducted on children and adolescents who should not have arterial stiffness at a very young age. Just imagine how an adult person’s arteries would look like after going on this diet without medical supervision or worse if that person has a genetic predisposition to high blood lipids. The body is already producing cholesterol excessively, coupled with high intake of unhealthy fats. Scary, isn’t it?

The Intermittent Fasting is another diet that will probably continue to be popular in 2018. There are many types of fasting: Alternate day, time-restricted feeding, 5:2 and more. To make the long story short, the only way of Intermittent Fasting that have shown health benefits in terms of weight loss, blood glucose control, and lowering of bad cholesterol, is the one that is aligned with the circadian rhythm. An intermittent fast of 12 to 13 hours with breakfast. Those who skip breakfast have increased blood sugar and insulin levels after lunch, which are undesirable. Those who skip meals the whole day have encountered problems with their mood and energy levels. Eating late at night also increases the risk of insulin resistance which may eventually lead to full blown diabetes mellitus if not managed.

The body naturally produces more cholesterol at night. It also produces melatonin to facilitate sleep, which in turn decreases the production of insulin needed for the proper metabolism of food in the body. Therefore, eating when it is time to sleep is not good.

In order to reap the health benefits of Intermittent Fasting, dinner must be eaten before 9 p.m. when melatonin production starts to increase. Breakfast must be eaten 12 to 13 hours the next day. If you eat dinner at 7 p.m., then you can break your fast with a healthy well-balanced meal at around 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. the next day, just when melatonin secretion ceases.

Aside from diet programs, 2018 will be a big year for fitness apps and gadgets. According to Mintel’s North America Consumer Trends 2018, apps, videos, social media posts, fitness trackers, and smart devices will be guiding consumers as they seek physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.