Some people are willing to try strange things in order to
achieve their fitness goals, but there might not be a more bizarre
weight-loss fad than the so-called pet food diet. Paws Natural Pet
Emporium owner Dorothy Hunter has done the unthinkable: adopting a pet
food only diet for 30 days. Hunter's diet consists of salmon flakes,
kibble, "succulent" chicken cat food and dog treats, among other things.
Hunter claims she's not engaging in lunacy for the sake of
losing weight, but has admittedly dropped 2.5 pounds since beginning her
pet food binge, begging the question of whether this unorthodox method
of eating healthy is a good idea.
Eating Healthy
For
those who live an active lifestyle, eating a nutritious diet packed
with vitamins and protein is an essential prerequisite, but droves of
weight loss wannabes constantly seek out the "quick fix." It's important
to diet for the right reasons. Hunter enacted an unusual diet to
heighten awareness about the ingredients in pet food. According to NBC
News, the ingredients referenced on the back of a
common breakfast bar are practically unidentifiable in comparison to a
pet food bar. While it might be true that some pet food brands offer
higher quality "natural" ingredients, you don't need to go to great
lengths of weirdness to eat a healthy diet.
Calorie Comparisons
The
practice of eating pet food is inherently unnatural. If you're willing
to share a bag of dry dog food with man's best friend, chances are
you're obedient enough to adhere to a strict diet. Although Hunter has
claimed to have lost weight, it's actually entirely possible to gain
weight from the indulgence of pet food. Furthermore, Hunter's one-week
weight loss exceeding two pounds is considered moderately unhealthy,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention claims a single cup of puppy
chicken meal and rice contains 402 calories, which is approximately 102
calories more than half of a grilled chicken breast and a single serving
of broccoli. What would you rather eat?
Avoiding Unhealthy Snack
A
big part of Hunter's indulgent pet food craze is snacking on unhealthy meals. One of her
favorites, flaked salmon entree, contains just 87 calories, according to
the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. While eating healthy snacks throughout the day can be a great way to maintain a healthy diet, snacking on high-sodium foods can easily undo your waistline. In
reality, tossing back flakes of salmon is a healthier food choice than
diving into a box of crackers or potato chips.
"Natural" Ingredients
Although
Hunter claims pet food snacks are more "natural" than human snacks,
it's important to realize that a decent number of pet food items are
made with ingredients that most people couldn't fathom ingesting. The
worst part about her "natural" weight loss is what she might have
consumed in order to do it. In 2007, the Food & Drug Administration
learned that certain brands of pet food were killing cats and dogs,
causing a recall of specific products. The so-called natural ingredients
Hunter refers to sometimes include slaughterhouse leftovers, like blood
and organs. It's never a bad thing to try a new fad, but it would be
wise to reserve the pet food for the pets.
What the Heck is the Werewolf Diet?
John Shea is a team sports fanatic and fitness aficionado. His
work has been published across a wide platform of online audiences in
the realm of health and fitness. His passion for fitness is exemplified
in his writing, as he aims to help readers improve their overall
well-being.