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Information on diets available For more information about fad diets and healthy eating, visit the Wellness Wednesday booth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7 in the Children’s Hospital lobby. How many times have you heard someone say, “Eating carbs makes you fat,” or “If you eat grapefruit every day, you’ll lose weight?” On a daily basis, our minds are bombarded by advertisements for weight loss programs or pressured by friends and family to try the latest diet. With everyone claiming to be either a doctor or a nutritionist, it can be hard to sort out healthy weight loss programs from ones that are unhealthy and possibly unsafe.   Before deciding on which diet to follow, stop and answer the following questions. Does it promise a quick fix? Does it use personal testimonies to prove effectiveness? Does it use terms like detoxify, revitalize or balance your body with nature? Will you have to purchase any products promoted by the diet? Does it just sound too good to be true? Spotting a fad diet is easy when the above questions are used and yes answers to any of these question more than likely indicates a fad diet.   A credible weight loss program will promote lifestyle changes and will never promise a quick fix. Many popular fad diets emphasize the elimination of specific foods or even entire food groups, but you will never find a reputable weight-loss program cut out nutrient rich foods or entire food groups. Moderation and portion control are two important aspects to any proper weight loss program.   As part of National Nutrition Month, the MUSC registered dietetic interns will be offering more information on being 100-percent fad free March 7. In addition to information on spotting a fad diet, popular fad diets, and what a sound weight loss plan can look like, a drawing for a duffle bag will also take place. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, March 2, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.