’Tis the season of crash diets and wellness fads. If something feels too good to be true, it probably is.
Here are five tips to spot a quick fix:
1. It promises fast results
If it claims you’ll “lose 5 pounds in a week,” that’s a red flag. Quick fixes might work in the short term, but they can’t provide lasting results.
2. It cuts out entire food groups
Elimination diets might sound appealing, but they often lead to burnout, cravings, and nutrient gaps. For most people, they’re neither enjoyable nor sustainable.
3. It relies on willpower
Willpower fades, habits last. Sustainable approaches don’t ask you to “try harder.” They help you change your environment, work with your mindset, and find other ways to make it easier to reach your goals.
4. It requires you to follow a rigid routine
If a plan simply requires you to follow a routine without teaching you why you’re making changes, it’s skipping the most important part. And if that routine is rigid, it’s not sustainable. Education, self-awareness, and built-in flexibility make healthy habits stick.
5. There’s no mention of habits
Health is a result of products (medication, supplements, trackers, and more) and habits. If success depends only on a product without making changes to your daily actions, it’s not built to last.
Noom programs are grounded in psychology to help you create healthy habits you can stick with.
Editorial standards
At Noom, we’re committed to providing health information that’s grounded in reliable science and expert review. Our content is created with the support of qualified professionals and based on well-established research from trusted medical and scientific organizations. Learn more about the experts behind our content on our Health Expert Team page.
