Ear Stapling
This relatively new fad is based on a theory among acupuncturists that an area of the ear regulates your appetite. The procedure is like getting an ear pierced, but the constant pressure of the staple on the “stomach” of your ear is supposed to curtail your eating.

Fat chance. There is no science behind ear stapling for weight loss, but there is plenty of evidence that stapling could lead to serious infections and deformities. If you need help in controlling your appetite, better to try something that really works, like eating more fruits and vegetables and less of everything else.

Breatharian Diet
This one takes the cake. (Oh, but only if it did.) It’s a diet that promotes living on air alone, no food or water. Hmm. That is pretty contrary to what I learned in undergraduate and graduate school while studying nutrition. I believe our bodies will only survive a few days without water and a few weeks without food.

The mumbo jumbo on this diet is that you align yourself to the universe and you won’t need water or food. You know what this sounds like to me? Starvation.

Next up: I’ll look at meal plans worth trying as we move into 2009. Happy holidays, and let’s all be thankful there’s no such thing (yet) as the Christmas Cookie Diet.