Just lately there seems to have been a lot of writing in various newspapers and on Facebook pages regarding the values of various ‘diets’. There are always too, lots of promotions for various products which will, according to the advertiser, assist with fast weight loss.

 I’ve seen quite a bit of writing about the LCHF (low carb, high fat) diet, as well as the Paleo diet and I am often asked about these, as well as things like ‘brain balls’, ‘protein balls’ and other seemingly healthy snacks.

I think there are a few questions you have to ask to help evaluate whether or not these plans or products might be right for you.

• Is it healthy?
• Is it sustainable?
• Will it fit in with your (and your family’s) lifestyle
• Does it work in the long term?
• Is it a lifestyle, or is it a diet?

If the answer to the above questions is Yes, then it might be right for you. Keep in mind that when selecting a fat loss plan you have to think long term. Nobody wants to put in all the effort required to lose weight, only to regain it because their new lifestyle could not be sustained in the long term.

If you follow a plan that promises fast fat loss, but it involves replacing meals with shakes, bars and sachets, does that really teach you anything? Will you get sick of having them? Can you sustain that forever?

So called brain balls and other ‘healthy’ snacks can pack a lot of energy (calories) because they are basically fat and a form of sugar. Yes, the sugar and fat might come from unrefined sources, but they are still fat and sugar. Whether you use dates, maple syrup, agave or whatever to sweeten food with, it is still a form of sugar. Fat, whether it be coconut oil, coconut flakes, the best quality olive oil, or healthy nuts, still carries a lot of energy. Also take into consideration, if you were to make a batch of these healthy sounding treats and have them in your fridge, could you restrict yourself to just one? Consider them treats, not everyday food if your goal is weight management.