An analysis of the diet against its ability to meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines

An analysis of the diet against its ability to meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines

The Australian guide to healthy eating, developed by the Australian government, was established to assist consumers in the planning, selecting and consuming of their food intake. ‘The guide shows a circle broken down into five wedges representing each of the five food groups…each wedge reflects the proportion that each food group should be consumed on a daily basis’ (Health and Human development, third edition p.g.282) They aim to develop the skills and knowledge of all Australians in consuming a healthier diet.

The Lemon Detox diet does not meet these guidelines. Although, similarly to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, the diet promotes drinking plenty of water it does not promote adequate servings or any consumption of the five food groups. Hark and Deen (2007) state that ‘for optimal health, all of the energy in activities must be balanced by the energy we obtain from food' (p.g.13). Following this, malnutrition caused by not eating the daily required amounts, lowers basil metabolic rate (Whitney, Rolfes, Crowe, Cameron-Smith, Walch (2014) p.235) participants of the Lemon Detox Diet will experience low energy and will not be able to maintain their basil metabolism needed for everyday activities to their optimal capacity. This may make it harder to maintain their weight loss after the Detox as they are lacking energy and muscle to be able to continue to practise weight loosing behaviours. ‘Nutritionist Matt O'Neill (2015) says it is a starvation diet, and those that embark on it will gain back the weight, and more, as soon as they start eating. But herbalist Richard Carney says it is an excellent detox that provides fast weight loss and kick-starts a healthier lifestyle’(para. 1). As well as this it is likely that participant’s health will also deteriorate without energy as well as the vitamins and minerals provided by these foods.

Referencing:

Beaumont, A, Marsh, L & Panetta, A 2014, Health & Human Development 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons Australia, Queensland.

Hark, L., Deen, D.(2007). Nutrition: The definitive Australian guide to eating for good health. Camberwell, Victoria: Dorling Kindersley.

Whitney, E., Rolfes, S., Crowe, T., Cameron-Smith, D., Walch, A. (2014). Understanding Nutrition. Australia and New Zealand edition, 2^nd edition. Victoria, Australia: Dorothy Chiu.

Connolly, E., (2015) Body + soul. Retrieved from: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/weight+loss/diets/lemon+detox+diet+examined,9621