May 27, 2004

Prairie Fare: Promises, Promises

By Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist
NDSU Extension Service

I was thumbing through a magazine while simultaneously watching TV the other night. I read that I could lose weight really quickly with no effort. Even better, I could lose weight while I slept. “If I slept too long, I might wake up invisible,” I thought to myself.

The TV ad told me I could get fit in five minutes a day, and they’d ship the device for a few easy payments of $19.95 each. “Something else to dust,” I thought.

OK, I admit effortless health and fitness sounded intriguing to me as I lounged on the couch, barely burning any calories. Unfortunately, it also defied everything I’ve studied.

You can rarely read a magazine or watch late-night TV these days without being bombarded by information on quick and easy weight loss and fitness. With about two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese and millions of people “dieting” as a result, it’s no wonder the “diet business” has blossomed into a $30 billion per year industry.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an organization that provides guidance on advertisements, many ads are false or misleading. We’re seeing more ads more often, too. In fact, the amount of advertisements for weight loss products has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

The FTC studied 300 weight loss advertisements from 2001 and noted some of the claims that should raise a “red flag” about whether the product really works. Here are some of the common techniques and reasons for caution:

• About 65 percent of the ads showed “before/after” photos and 42 percent used testimonials. Large weight losses commonly shown (70 pounds or more) usually aren’t possible with the product being promoted.
• About 57 percent promised rapid weight loss, up to 10 pounds weekly. A healthy, lasting weight loss program usually amounts to one to two pounds weekly.
• About 42 percent promoted pills, patches and programs for weight loss, with no diet or exercise required. Don’t we wish?
• About 41 percent of the ads promised permanent weight loss. This defies scientific research, which shows that dieting without making lifestyle changes doesn’t last.
• About 71 percent of the ads claimed the product was all “natural.” What is “natural” anyway? Many of those same products contained ephedra, which is no longer allowed in supplements due to potential adverse effects.

Be a skeptic when you read or listen to advertising. Remember its intent: to sell you something so someone can make a profit.

If you’re looking to pare a few pounds from your figure, it will involve either eating less or exercising more. Cutting 500 calories from your daily diet through smaller portions or more exercise can result in about a one pound weekly weight loss.

Good nutrition is about eating a variety of foods with a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrate. Here’s a tasty recipe featured in a brochure from the North Dakota Beef Commission. Check out www.beef.org

Fajitas with Pico de Gallo

1 lb. boneless sirloin steak or flank steak, cut 3/4 inch thick
8 8-inch flour tortillas, warmed

Marinade
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed

Combine marinade ingredients. Place beef steak in plastic bag; add marinade, turning to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes, turning once. Prepare Pico de Gallo. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Grill about 15 minutes for medium doneness. Trim fat from steak. Carve steak crosswise into slices; serve in tortillas with Pico de Gallo.

Pico de Gallo

1/2 c. diced zucchini
1/2 c. seeded, chopped tomato
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 c. prepared picante sauce or salsa
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice.

Makes 4 servings (2 filled tortillas with 1/4 c. Pico de Gallo). Each serving has 433 calories, 13 grams fat, 32 grams protein and 46 grams carbohydrate.

###

Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu

BeefTalk

Prairie Fare

Plains Folk

Hortiscope

Market Advisor:

Crop

Livestock

North Dakota State University
NDSU Agriculture Communication
NDSU Extension Service
ND Agricultural Experiment Station