MyFitnessPal, the world’s leading nutrition and food tracking app, is taking a bold stance against fad diets with the launch of FadLab, an interactive experience designed to highlight America’s obsession with quick-fix weight loss trends. From diets that require eating a single food to those that eliminate entire macronutrients, FadLab brings these unrealistic approaches to life in a lighthearted yet impactful way, encouraging conversations about sustainable health choices.
Why fad diets fail
The appeal of fast weight loss is undeniable, but the reality is far less promising. According to a recent MyFitnessPal survey, 81% of dieters who failed in the past said their biggest struggle was that the plan was too restrictive. Despite this, 58% of respondents admitted they would consider cutting out an entire food group for a month if it meant losing 10-15 pounds, and 28% said they would eat just one food for 30 days straight to see results.
“The New Year always brings a surge of interest in extreme dieting, but these approaches are misleading, unsustainable, and often harmful,” says Melissa Jaeger, RD, Head of Nutrition for MyFitnessPal. “FadLab illustrates the pitfalls of extreme diets, while reinforcing the importance of realistic, long-term progress. By tracking food with MyFitnessPal, members can take small, manageable steps toward their goals without falling into the trap of fad dieting.”
MyFitnessPal Fadlab Event
MyFitnessPal hosted the MyFitnessPal Fadlab event on January 29 and January 30 at The Austin Motel in Downtown Austin, Texas. Visitors saw what a realistic path to progress looks like and how tracking nutrition and food intake can empower better health decisions.
Why tracking food leads to better results
Unlike fad diets, MyFitnessPal’s data-driven approach shows that small, consistent changes lead to real progress. The app’s research reveals that users who log their food for just four days within their first week are seven times more likely to make measurable progress toward their weight loss goals than those who don’t.
“Since 2005, we’ve seen countless people chase quick fixes that rarely lead to sustainable health improvements,” says Mike Fisher, CEO of MyFitnessPal. “Instead of extreme dieting, we need to shift the focus to lasting, sustainable progress. With tools like our barcode scanner, meal scan, and voice log, MyFitnessPal makes it easy for users to understand their food choices and take meaningful steps toward better health—one day at a time.”
Real progress over perfection
With a community of over 250 million users in 120 countries, MyFitnessPal provides one of the world’s most comprehensive nutrition and food tracking platforms. Offering access to over 19 million foods, 2,000+ recipes, and 40+ connected fitness partners, the app gives members everything they need to build healthy, sustainable habits.
For more information, visit www.myfitnesspal.com or download the app for free on the App Store or Google Play.
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