MyFitnessPal Report Shows 61% of Canadians are Familiar With Fad Diets

To kick off the new year, the global nutrition and food tracking app MyFitnessPal has unearthed some interesting stats and data from Canadians. Of course, as 2025 begins, many Canadians are approaching the year with new health and wellness goals.

In partnership with Maru Public Opinion, MyFitnessPal conducted a survey of 1,531 randomly selected Canadian adults in December of last year. The results of this survey paint a fairly interesting picture of how Canadians approach diets to help reach their health goals.

For instance, MyFitnessPal reports that a whopping 61 percent of Canadians are aware of many fad diets you see commonly online. These can include anything from the Atkins Diet, to using apple cider vinegar for fat-burning. A cabbage soup diet has also been popular alongside the Master Cleanse diet. There have even been baffling suggestions being made to use dog food as a source of protein.

The survey shows that of the 19 percent of Canadians who tried a fad diet, 43 percent were not successful in reaching their health goals. Of those who were unsuccessful, 70 percent of them claimed it was because the diet was too restrictive. Many of the aforementioned diets include harsh and restrictive guidelines. Many also encourage habits that aren’t sustainable in the long term.

“MyFitnessPal acknowledges the mad fads that have been encouraged over the years in a bid for achieving what society deems ‘perfect’,” says Head of Nutrition, Melissa Jaeger, RD. “At MyFitnessPal, we encourage striving for progress, not the concept of ‘perfection’. Restrictive diets lack sustainability and overall nutrient balance – a few factors that contribute to why ‘quick fixes’, fads, or restrictive diets aren’t the solution to achieving long-term health goals. Instead of trying the latest fad or revisiting an old trend – try tracking your foods, building awareness of your nutrition habits, and knowing where you stand with your health. Most importantly, don’t let it get in the way of real life. Have a piece of cake on your child’s birthday and enjoy some poutine occasionally––because that’s real life.”

While fad diets have come short of long-term success in many cases, MyFitnessPal does state that 91 percent of surveyed Canadians agree focusing on progress over perfection is the best approach to achieving their health goals.

In a press release, Jaeger gives Canadians a few tips to help them achieve their fitness goals. This includes setting goals for what can be added to your diet to help support overall motivation and progress. She also recommends staying social by going to dinners and happy hour with friends and family during your fitness journey. As long as meals are being logged and Canadians stay on track, there’s no reason to say no to social gatherings. Finally, Jaeger recommends not putting too much pressure on January or yourself. “Prioritize your health and well-being year-round,” she says.

MyFitnessPal can assist in achieving any health and wellness goals you may have in 2025. The app is available for free via the App Store or Google Play.