Cat Deeley Challenges Quick-Fix Diets

Published: 02 June 2004

A campaign, fronted by celebrity superbabe, Cat Deeley, has today been launched to address startling new research, which shows that almost two thirds of consumers are putting their health at risk, by a simple lack of understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet.

The lack of understanding, which is causing concern among healthcare professionals, clearly shows that the healthy eating message is not getting through and has prompted Cat Deeley to endorse the VITALITY EATING SYSTEM, a new eating plan backed by the experts. The eating plan, which advocates a low fat balanced diet challenges 'quick fix' diets, provides an alternative to unhealthy 'low carb' diets and a long-term solution to yo-yo dieting.

The Flour Advisory Bureau, The Federation of Bakers and the Grain Information Service joined forces and launched the new eating system with the assistance of top health experts including nutritionists, dieticians, GPs, health writers, Government bodies and academics specialising in obesity research. The event brought together the media and health experts to discuss the issue, unravel some of the complicated messages about weight loss and ensure responsible, factual and balanced editorial on the subject of diets.

TV babe Cat Deeley says: "A hectic lifestyle can play havoc with your eating habits and at the end of the day you are what you eat! You can't rely on faddy diets to be nutritionally balanced or to keep you going all day. I always start the day with a good breakfast, which keeps me full of energy all morning. Eating a nutritionally balanced diet containing complex carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta and cereals, along with protein, fruit and vegetables is essential for boosting energy levels and staying in shape."

Top sports nutritionist and health writer Anita Bean, who developed the eating plan comments: "The Vitality Eating System provides a healthy long-term option to faddy 'quick fix'diets and is based upon effective proven strategies for tackling weight gain. Focusing on regular activity and balanced eating is the key to losing weight and keeping it off. This 7-day eating plan is flexible and practical and the weight loss is achievable and realistic".

Dr Toni Steer, from the MRC Human Nutrition Research added "There are ways to achieve a long-lasting healthy weight without following the latest craze. Changes in dietary habits to produce a low-calorie diet, with more unrefined carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables and less fat and added sugars, combined with smaller portions and, of course, regular physical activity holds the key."

Carbohydrates like bread have come under recent attack by the diet industry and by unqualified 'alternative' health practitioners -known for their quick fix diets and reliance on psuedo-science. The VITALITY EATING SYSTEM helps to directly counter faddy diets like the Atkins diet and the South Beach diet, which confuse consumers.