Fad diets may tempt you as a way to shed pounds quickly. Unlike healthy lifestyle changes, fad diets typically restrict calories or particular foods severely, promise "rapid" results or require use of weight loss-geared products. Though Americans spend over $40 billion annually on fad diets and weight loss products, they rarely lead to success, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. To determine healthiest ways to meet your weight loss goals, seek guidance from your doctor or dietitian.
Weight Gain
Fad diets are often difficult to follow, particular long-term. Avoiding carbohydrates, solid foods or cutting your caloric intake severely may seem do-able initially. Dieters often lose interest in the diets, however, and have a difficult time adhering to their rigid rules, according to the Weight-control Information Network. If you restrict calories or certain foods long enough, your body may go into starvation mode, which causes your metabolism to slow down and actually results in weight gain. Fad dieting may also cause emotional deprivation and intense hunger, increasing your risk for binge eating. If you yo-yo diet -- lose weight then gain weight repetitively -- your risk for slowed metabolism and weight gain are heightened.
Nutrient Deficiencies
A healthy, balanced diet provides an assortment of foods -- a key factor or meeting your daily nutritional needs. Since fad diets limit food groups and/or calories, you may develop deficiencies of vital nutrients. Dieters often fail to consume enough calcium, according to NEDA, which increases your risk for poor bone density, osteoporosis and fractures. Nutrient deficiencies can cause a slew of adverse symptoms, such as lethargy, skin problems, dizziness, headaches and confusion. If you restrict fat sources severely, particularly essential fatty acids, you may develop menstrual problems, acne, hair loss, diarrhea, poor wound healing and, in severe cases, infertility. Without ample antioxidants, such as vitamins C, E and A, your immune system may weaken, which makes you more susceptible to colds, the flu and other illnesses.
Organ Damage
Fad diets can also adversely affect your organs. Rapid weight loss, or losing more than 1 to 2 lbs. per week, increases your risk for gallstones -- masses in your gallbladder that may require surgery -- and heart problems, according to the Weight-control Information Network. An imbalanced diet can also lead to imbalanced electrolytes -- salts in your body that support healthy heart beat and muscle contraction. If you also exercise profusely or consume too few fluids, your risk for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are heightened. Numerous low-carbohydrate, or "low carb," diets encourage ketosis -- a state in which your body relies upon fat as fuel. Ketosis increases your risk for kidney stones -- often painful deposits in your kidneys -- and kidney damage. Diets that encourage use of supplements containing stimulants may increase your heartbeat and blood pressure and put you at risk for heart attack and stroke.
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