Are there any fad diets that actually work?

No: None of them teach you good eating habits. Its best to learn habits that will last you a lifetime, not a quick fix that wont last.

Diets: Fad diets are marketing ploys to promote a concept that has more to do with making money than with a well-balanced diet that promotes long-term compliance conducive with a healthy lifestyle. Many of these diets are also low calorie diets. A low calorie diet is a diet that provides extremely low calories in order to produce significant weight loss. They can be unbalanced and cause problems.

Sound diet advice!: 1) Eating fat doesn't make you fat; 2) Some fats are better than others (avoid trans/saturated); 3) Not all calories are created equal; 4) A high protein diet is not good either; 5) Sugar is bad, period, particularly sugar consumed as a liquid; 6) Mix it up--eat a daily assortment of fruits, vegetables, lean protein (fish, chicken), whole grains, healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, legumes). AARP, 9/14

Diets: Fad diets are marketing ploys to promote a concept that has more to do with making money than with a well-balanced diet that promotes long-term compliance conducive with a healthy lifestyle. Many of these diets are also low calorie diets. A low calorie diet is a diet that provides extremely low calories in order to produce significant weight loss. They can be unbalanced and cause problems.