# What things do all popular diets agree on? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 1, 2013, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735 "2013-01-01T03:16:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/21 "2013-01-02T03:10:39Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Low carb doesn’t as far as I know, well at least the version I did did not advocate portion control. > > I think they all agree that sugar is a bad thing. Isn’t carb-countig a form of portion control? I would say “zero”-carb/carnivore is the only exception. Anyway, as for sugar, I think “Carb Nite” encourages a once a week sugar binge to upregulate leptin. Though, you are right for most diets. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/22 "2013-01-02T03:20:14Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I’ve yet to see one advocate eating potassium cyanide. > > But, yeah, a real expert needs to weigh in with a weightloss diet book. The real experts all agree on how to lose weight, right? All experts agree: Eat less, move more. That’s the long and short of it. That don’t sell books. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/23 "2013-01-02T03:25:47Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Why? It’s a forerunner of the South Beach Diet and its allowance of fats contradicts the OP as well. I should have been more clear. I’m not saying foods that are high in fat are bad, I’m saying foods that are high in BOTH sugar and fat are bad. E.g. Doughnuts ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/24 "2013-01-02T03:49:08Z")
You are a fat-ass. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/25 "2013-01-02T12:16:59Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > You are a fat-ass. Not all of them, sometimes they agree that you are a scrawny-arsed wuss with less muscle than a newborn ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/26 "2013-01-02T12:19:33Z")
That cracking open a tube of cookie dough over your open mouth and choking it all down like that guy in _Alien Nation_ is not, in fact, a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/27 "2013-01-03T02:19:47Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > That cracking open a tube of cookie dough over your open mouth and choking it all down like that guy in _Alien Nation_ is not, in fact, a good thing. [His](http://sanseverything.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/cookie-monster3.jpg) diet book disagrees ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/28 "2013-01-03T06:41:55Z")
Don’t eat the green wobbly bit. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/29 "2013-01-03T07:50:22Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > You will lose five pounds the first week. > > Also, most of those other diets is rubbish. Not true. Most of the major diets would work if you could/would stick to them. ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/30 "2013-01-03T18:04:25Z")
> [@Namkcalb](#): > > Another one, Transfat is **bad** for you > > It’s not universal, low carbers try to avoid fruit and starchy veg. Interestingly enough, just as some diets advise not to eat some fruits and vegetables, the same is true of trans fats; the trans fat listed on a package of beef ([about 1 gram per 100 gram serving](http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/beef-products/10526/2))? That [isn’t the same](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402152140.htm) as the trans fat in a cake (from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil). Also, as to the OP’s statement about cutting out fats and sugars, it is **added** fats and sugars that he is referring to - which currently contribute about 1,000 calories a day to our diets, with added fats contributing about the entire RDA limit for fats (including of course a lot of artificial trans fat and saturated fats, not the the latter are entirely bad either, at least when eaten from normal food). These are also a big contributor to the increase in caloric intake over the past few decades and, by extension, obesity and diabetes and all of that (those refined grains aren’t healthy either; of course, this all says “junk food”; since, for example, a doughnut is mostly refined wheat flour, fat, and sugar): > [@](#): > > [In 2000](http://www.endotext.org/obesity/obesity7.2/obesity7-2.html) the average daily calorie consumption was 12 percent, or approximately 300 kcal, more than that consumed in 1985 (25). Of that 300 kcal increase, grains (mostly refined) accounted for 46%; added fats, 24%; added sugars, 23%; fruits and vegetables, 8%; and meat and dairy consumption declined 1%. [Graph](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSPyeovhQos/T994MDnyNaI/AAAAAAAAAJY/CbRT3EjSkIU/s1600/Calorie_trend_publish.png) of daily calorie intake per food source (at least we seem to be listening to the advice to eat more fruits and vegetables, but we could quadruple their intake by replacing added fats and sugars with them, minus the excess calories, probably actually less (veggies and calories) since that would be a lot of bulk to consume a day). ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/31 "2013-01-03T19:23:35Z")
**What things do all popular diets agree on?** That there is a quick easy way to lose weight. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/32 "2013-01-04T21:47:12Z")
> [@Michael63129](#): > > Interestingly enough, just as some diets advise not to eat some fruits and vegetables, the same is true of trans fats; the trans fat listed on a package of beef ([about 1 gram per 100 gram serving](http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/beef-products/10526/2))? That [isn’t the same](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402152140.htm) as the trans fat in a cake (from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil). It seems the more I learn, the more obvious it is I still have much to learn. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/33 "2013-01-05T03:27:39Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > Possibly the only thing they all agree on is that you can’t lose weight while eating what you want, when you want, in the quantities you want. Well, not in the quantities _I_ want, anyway. > [@Smid](#): > > Low carb doesn’t as far as I know, well at least the version I did did not advocate portion control. > > I think they all agree that sugar is a bad thing. Agreed. White, processed sugar is not necessary for any life on earth to survive. > [@Ambivalid](#): > > You are a fat-ass. Aw. man. ☹ I think about the only thing they all agree on is drink more water, get more sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/34 "2013-01-05T03:32:17Z")
Lose Weight Now…Ask Me How. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/35 "2013-01-05T04:38:20Z")
Buy our product!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/36 "2013-01-05T04:41:15Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > Buy our product!!! 😃 The miracle only occurs when you buy our supplements ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/37 "2013-01-05T05:51:46Z")
> [@Jamicat](#): > > Lose Weight Now…Ask Me How. 😉 Cut off your legs! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/38 "2013-01-05T05:57:54Z")
> [@Namkcalb](#): > > The miracle only occurs when you buy our supplements Heh - that’s one thing so many of those diet supplements and things have in common - “Use our supplements and lose weight! When combined with diet and exercise.” You know what else will make you lose weight? Diet and exercise. What your supplements _will_ do is lighten my wallet. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/39 "2013-01-05T06:07:35Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > . What your supplements _will_ do is lighten my wallet. Hey, every little bit helps (just make sure you never weigh yourself without your walet, but that should be a given). ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735/40 "2013-01-05T16:27:05Z")
Since this is about weight loss rather than cuisine, moved to IMHO from Cafe Society. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-do-all-popular-diets-agree-on/645735.md?page=3)