A diet that is written only to be followed for a short time is called categorized as one of the fad diets. Fad diets are also diets that quickly become wildly popular, last for a short time, then become a footnote in popular culture. Examples include the grapefruit diet, the South Beach diet, and Jenny Craig.

Fad diets are a subcategory of food fads. A food fad is a phenomenon in which some food or category of food suddenly becomes very popular. These generally have some common elements, including:

- The food is attributed with miraculous powers. - Many other foods are completely eliminated from the diet, because they are thought to have negative properties.

As an example of these elements of fad diets in the diet, take the Atkins diet. In Atkins carbohydrates must be avoided because of their negative characteristics. Low carbohydrates are extremely desirous in Atkins, because then the body enters a super fat burning condition. This diet had a number of short periods of extreme carbohydrate avoidance, followed by long periods of sustainable low carbohydrate eating. However, many people are able to continue the Atkins diet for years.

As with many fad diets Atkins rose quickly and fell just as quickly. For a number of years the Atkins diet was everywhere, and everyone seemed to be following it . Every movie star, singer, and sports figure claimed to use the Atkins diet when they needed to lose weight. When Dr. Atkins died to superstardom of his diet died with him.

Many fad diets can be quite dangerous. Even a seemingly healthy diet like the Subway diet could be dangerous. At its center was a young man named Jared who had lost hundreds of pounds in only a year by eating Subway sandwiches. Jared’s diet was severe — going down to 900 calories a day from over 10,000. Such an extreme level of caloric intake cuts and rapid weight loss is unhealthy. Even so in moderation the Subway diet can work, particularly when combined with exercise — Jared walked 6 miles a day.

Approach fad diets with caution. You’re better off learning how to eat well on an everyday basis and maintaining a program of rigorous exercise.