People trying to lose weight quickly may be tempted to try a diet that claims you will lose weight rapidly. Unfortunately, diets that promise rapid weight loss, which are called fad or crash diets, are often based on unhealthy principles that may lead to short-term and long-term problems. The only healthy way to lose weight is through a balanced diet and exercise program.
Identification
Identify a fad diet by checking the diet plan and promotional information. Usually, a fad diet has strict requirements that may totally eliminate or severely restrict at least one type of food while instructing you to focus on another type of food, which isn't something you can do long-term. Exercise usually isn't required in a fad diet, or if exercise is required, it is often excessive. Before and after photos and various testimonials are often used to promote the diet program. Many fad diets offer simple conclusions about losing weight that may be presented by compensated experts. Some fad diets require you to purchase supplements or special products to help you lose weight.
Considerations
The weight loss rate promised by fad diets is usally more than 2 lbs. per week. The problem with weight loss at a rapid pace is that you are likely losing lean tissue, such as lean muscle, or water instead of fat, notes MayoClinic.com. Additionally, when you lose weight at a rapid pace, you are likely to gain that weight back once you begin to eat a normal diet -- even if you opt to eat a low-calorie balanced diet when you get off of the fad diet.
Effects
Fad diets can lead to a cycle of yo-yo dieting. This means that you follow the fad diet and lose a lot of weight. Once you stop following the fad diet, you gain the weight back, which causes you to start another fad diet. Since fad diets are usually very low calorie diets, your body becomes accustomed to functioning on fewer calories. This change in your metabolism means that once you begin to eat normally again, you will gain weight even if you are eating fewer calories than normal. This effect can last months to years, notes Epigee.
Dangers
Nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency anemia, are possible when you follow fad diets because these diets don't provide you with all of the nutrients your body needs daily. Sodium and potassium deficiencies, which can lead to a heart attack, are possible. If you follow a fad diet that is very low in calories or that severely restricts carbohydrates, you may suffer organ damage since your organs need both calories and energy from carbohydrates to function properly. This organ damage can lead to a heart attack, stroke or liver failure.
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