Healthy living
Diet and weight loss
No quick fixes for dieters
No miracle cure in sight for biscuit-related weight gain
It's sad but true - the way to long-term weight loss is not living on quick-fix meal substitutes but means changing the way you eat once and for all and taking more exercise. And, according to a new study published by market research group Mintel, many would-be slimmers are starting to accept the fact and are spending less on so-called slimming foods.
During the last five years, sales have plummeted by over a quarter. The market for meal replacement shakes and cereal bars has been the worst hit, falling by more than 64 per cent. In particular, the market for low carbohydrate foods specially created for people on the Atkins diet, has collapsed since health concerns about the diet grew.
Mintel said almost two in five consumers would now not use slimming aids, preferring instead more natural ways of losing weight. Researcher Katy Child said: 'At a time when obesity is at an all time high and the majority of the British nation are now either overweight or obese, it is surprising to find such a decline in the slimming foods market.' She believes that the decline is partly linked to the trend to move away from artificial ingredients in food and drink products.
Nigel Denby, of the British Dietetic Association, says that the trend is a good thing. 'Eating a balanced diet and taking regular exercise is by far the best way to lose weight and keep the weight off. Slimmers don't want a quick fix anymore. They want a long-term solution to their weight problems.'
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
