weight loss results than the others. Most fad diets will try and convince you that sticking to a specific group of food will result in a ton of weight-loss in a short period of time. However, regardless of the results, fad diets can actually put your health in danger – in a lot of ways.
1. Fad diets don’t produce long-term effects
It’s great to know that there are diet plans out there that would actually allow us to lose a set amount of weight in a short period of time, but what happens when we go back to our regular eating habits? “Fad diets aren’t designed to develop permanent changes in your eating habits,” says nutritionist Joanne Larson. “Any diet that has fewer calories than you need to maintain your weight will cause weight loss. The problem is when you go off the fad diet and return to your former eating habits, you will probably re-gain weight because you haven’t learned how to eat to maintain your lower weight.” If anything, try developing healthier eating habits, just to make sure that you don’t risk your health by fluctuating your weight.
2. Fad diets are deficient in important nutrients
More often than not, fad diets can require you to eliminate entire food groups, which can ultimately have a pretty drastic impact on your health. If the diet urges you to ditch groups of foods like starches (bread, rice and pasta) or fruit, you definitely will be lacking in nutrients that are vital to your health. “Any eating plan should include a wide variety of foods from all groups such as fruits, vegetables, starches, meat, dairy and healthy fats like olive and peanut oils,” says Larson. “There should be no food off limits, though foods high in fat, sugar and salt should be limited to once or twice a month.” Yes, you read that correctly — laying off the greasy and fattening foods does sound like a pretty legit diet plan, but just remember that there’s no such thing as never being allowed to eat ice cream every once in a while. Let the church say amen to that.
3. Fad diets are difficult to follow
So you want to lose a few pounds? Okay. But are you sure you have the discipline to follow a plan as strict as the three-day military diet? There’s even something as drastic as swallowing a tapeworm. Some fad diets have a specific (did we mention bizarre?) set of rules that make them pretty difficult to stick to. “You usually can’t follow a fad diet long term as they are often difficult to follow with lots of rules and deficient in vitamins/minerals your body needs,” she says. “There is often no plan offered by fad diets on what to eat to maintain your weight loss.” Before you consider starting a diet, it might be best for you to think realistically about the restrictions of the diet, the possible results, and the effect it might have on your health.
Related: I Tried the Whole30 Challenge & Here’s What Happened
4. Fad diets usually aren’t supported by research
Word of advice: if it sounds a bit sketchy, it probably is a bit sketchy. According to Larson, the problem with fad diets is that they’re just that – fads. They aren’t necessarily designed or created to actually help you follow them for long periods of time nor are they backed up by any facts or evidence. “Unfortunately, people who have no education in nutrition try various ways to lose weight,” she says. “Their diet becomes the latest fad, especially, if the person is famous and gets spread by the media, TV and the Internet. Often there is no scientific research to support the diet.” In other words, Jared may have been the first person to lose over 200 pounds from eating nothing but Subway, but that doesn’t make it a legit diet. Do your research and make sure that what you’re planning on going along with is safe and healthy.
Ultimately, the best way to diet is to not diet at all. Simply develop a healthy eating plan that will help you control your portions without sabotaging your health. Your body will thank you in the long run.