British Heart Foundation condemns bogus online diet

2 June 2011

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is publicly condemning a bogus 'BHF diet', which the charity says could leave long-term users deficient in vital nutrients.

Found on the internet, the phoney diet - wrongly associated with the charity - sets out a three-day meal plan that promises to help users lose weight fast.

However, the BHF says it's nothing short of a faddy crash diet that's almost impossible to stick to; but if they do, it could be detrimental in the long term. The charity offers genuine information and resources for people looking for a real solution to weight loss, which help them get the balanced diet needed to stay healthy and keep the pounds off for good.

Victoria Taylor, senior heart health dietician at the BHF, said: "Apart from being wholly unappetising with the likes of two frankfurters with a cup of cabbage and half a cup of carrots for a meal, this diet is so restrictive in terms of the range and quantity of food that it lacks a number of nutrients we need to stay healthy.

"The lack of fibre means followers could develop constipation while long-term use could also leave you deficient in calcium and iron, which can result in fragile bones and teeth and feeling constantly tired and lethargic if left unchecked.

"Most people are likely to lose largely water and some muscle, rather than the fat they really want to shed on this kind of crash diet. Over time, the muscle loss can be bad news as it means that the rate your body burns calories, whether active or resting, can actually slow down – the last thing dieters want.

"Being obese is linked to raised blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, both major risk factors for heart disease. So it's important people find effective ways of managing their weight – but this so-called quick fix is not one of them.

"Anyone worried about their weight can follow our bona fide advice instead. It will help you to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, get the nutrients you need for good health – and enjoy your food at the same time, which makes you more likely to stick to it."

Nicky Innes-Montgomery, 33, from the Wirral, tried the bogus 'BHF diet' – which didn't work – before losing eight stone following the charity's genuine health eating advice.

She said: "The bogus diet was awful, quite frankly. I tried it a few times and fainted half way through it once. I remember feeling constantly woozy with a cracking headache. I did lose weight but as soon as I ate anything afterwards, no matter how healthy, the weight came straight back on. I never kept it off.

"Fortunately I then tried the BHF's Heart Matters healthy eating plan and lost a whopping eight stone. Unlike the bogus diet, the BHF plan made me think differently about what my body needed, rather than what I thought I wanted. It was really easy to follow and I found I could still eat foods I enjoyed."

Known by her nickname, Pinky, she still follows the BHF plan and has recently started a women's roller-skating derby team to help keep in shape. The game involves players skating round an oval track as they try to lap members of the opposing team.

The BHF's genuine information on healthy eating and weight loss, including a BMI calculator, is available on the charity's website. People can also sign up to the free Heart Matters membership service, which includes diet and lifestyle tips, recipes and information as well as an email support programme. Or they can download or order the BHF's weight-loss booklets So, you want to lose weight...for good, which includes a guide to developing your own eating plan and Take control of your weight, which has information about weight management service and treatments available to people with a BMI of over 30.

Visit www.bhf.org.uk/healthyeating for genuine BHF healthy eating guidance.

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