FitSugar

I Don't Buy It: Pink Patch

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:00:00 PDT

If you've ever spent some time on Facebook then chances are that you've seen the banners for the Pink Patch. Me, I'm not a regular Facebook user, but I was recently pointed out the Pink Patch by user gumdrops334 so I did a little investigation.

Not only does the motto, "Get Skinny with Pink," and the use of the word "magic" send warning flags flying, but I am immediately turned off by the fact that the main ingredient, Fucus Vesiculosus, aka Bladderwrack - wtf?! - has yet to be proven to be safe or help with weight loss. Scary, yes, but unfortunately questionable safety is pretty common in weight loss supplements these days - it's really the website that enrages me the most.

The site blatantly markets the patch towards teenage girls with statements such as, "You WILL Have the Hottest Body and the Dream Life," and "Wear the Pink Patch and you WILL boost your confidence and self-esteem," even though at the very bottom of the site there is a disclaimer that the product is not recommended for children under 18 years of age. If that were the case, why is it all in pink and white? Why do the models look like they are 14 years old and why do the testimonials refer to high school and being popular? And since when does being skinny mean you'll have a dream life?

I've also been told that once you order your free trial, the company automatically charges ($50) and sends you the next month supply unless you cancel it online. Sounds fishy? That's because it is. Me, I'm definitely not buying it. And neither will my daughters. Ever. Are you?

Source

Weight Loss Scams Top List of Scams in 2007

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:30:00 PST

The ConsumerAffairs.com's Top 10 Scams of 2007 has recently been released and you may (or may not) be surprised to learn that Weight Loss Scams tops the list at number one in consumer complaints. Yikes. Most notable scams from the FTC were the weight loss patch, "The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About," book, and marketers of various Hoodia products.

So let this be yet another reminder that you can't buy weight loss in a book, or a pill or patch. If it seems to good to be true then it probably is, so stick to your regime of eating healthy and working out and you'll be better off in the end.

Source

13 Health Gimmicks You Can Stop Wasting Money On

Business Insider — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:15:21 PDT

Consumers have a tendency of falling for the next big health gimmick. Save your money on health duds with these Business Insider tips.

No matter how many times we're told otherwise, Americans' obsession with get-healthy-quick schemes will likely never die. Too bad most of these fads aren't worth their weight in salt - or your hard-earned dollars. We've put together a list of some of the worst budget-sucking health trends that still persist today.

Coconut Water

Coconut water may be nature's version of Gatorade but some brands have already caught fire for over-hyping its nutrient content. Vita Coco agreed to settle a $10 million class action lawsuit over an independent study that showed the drinks didn't pack near as many electrolytes as advertisements implied. Some coconut waters are also loaded with added sugar, which will do nothing to help your waistline.

Alternative: Pick up your own young green coconuts on the cheap from an Asian produce market. Just crack them open with a cleaver and pop in a straw.

"All-Natural" Foods

30 percent of Americans bought more natural foods in 2011, according to a Rodale study. But what are we really paying more for? There's no clear cut regulation on what makes food "natural," which means just about any company can slap that label on its packages, add a fancy green theme and jack up the price.

Says Andrew Schrage of MoneyCrashers: "Before buying any food that is touted as being 'all natural,' take a look at the ingredient list before you check out. Keep in mind that butter and salt are indeed natural ingredients. So stocking up on natural foods may not achieve anything other than increasing your grocery bill."

Read on for more.