Oh no, not the “D” word! Being on a diet – and sticking to it – can really suck the fun out of eating a healthy, tasteful meal. You cut out carbs, measure ounces of meat and cups of cereal and count every calorie (how tedious!). Going out to eat is even worse, because you can’t control how the food is prepared and can be easily persuaded by that decadent dessert menu sitting so innocently next to the salt and pepper shakers. What if there was an easier way to diet?
You’ve heard of diet supplements – like fat burners and energy formulas – but you’re skeptical of all their hype. Let’s weigh the pros and cons of diet supplements so you can decide whether they may help you reach your better-body goals.
Boost your efforts. We could all use a hand now and then. To keep you from derailing or coming to a complete halt, diet supplements are formulated to help suppress hunger pains, cleanse the body, delay the absorption of carbs and even provide extra energy. So before you start feeling sluggish or run down from dieting, consider a natural herbal energizing supplement that’s packed with antioxidants and natural sources of caffeine to power you through the day. Garden of Life Perfect Cleanse is an all-natural, 10-day internal cleanse system that works in synergy with the body’s own built-in detoxification processes.
Convenience in a bottle. Though swallowing a supplement won’t replace your date with the treadmill, it can certainly help when you’re in a pinch. Got a last-minute invite to dinner with the girls? Reply “yes,” and just before eating, take a supplement that helps delay the digestion of carbs so you can have your occasional feast with friends (the treadmill will be there tomorrow, anyway). Look for all-natural supplements made of non-GMO white kidney bean extract, which has been studied to support healthy weight loss. A bottle of Vitacost Carb Blocker contains this key nutrient in easy-to-swallow capsules.
Taste bud-approved. There are many diet products that either feel chalky or leave a bitterness in your mouth. Others are made with fruits and herbs like Skinnygirl Daily Cleanse and Restore Green Lemonade, which is naturally sweetened with agave. If you prefer taste-free support, opt for supplements in capsule, tablet or softgel form. You’ll also find diet supplements free of gluten, 100% vegetarian, even vegan to suit your every dietary need.
Cons:
The only downside to diet supplements is that they aren’t the panacea of weight management. Nothing beats balanced eating and regular exercise when it comes to building a better, healthier you!