Fad Diets: Why They Are Not Good For You

Fashion trends are changing all the time. As new silhouettes, accessories and hairstyles hit the runway, worn-out styles are replaced by new ones. Shifting from the topic of style statements, fad diets are no different. There was a time when all talk was about Atkins, a protein-heavy diet. The trend soon shifted to Keto which become all the rage in 2019. These stylish weight-loss plans promise dramatic results and while they do the trick for many, only a handful of people know the harmful effect they can have on our bodies. Typically, these diets are not healthy and don't result in long-term weight loss. In fact, some of them can actually be hazardous to health. Here is why fad diets need to be thrown out of the window and why we do not need them in our lives to go from fat to fit.

1. They're rigorously restrictive

Some promises are meant to be broken! When you have vowed to yourself to stick to a certain fad diet, it might actually be good for you to take back your word. This is because when we restrict carbs or fat, the body releases specific hormones to counter the restriction, which eventually leads to increased cravings of some macronutrients. Your body relies on both carbs and fat for very specific metabolic functions, and when you're not consuming one or both of these macros, it will fight until you can no longer resist the craving.

Fad diets also reduce the energy in your body. This means you will not be able to follow a workout regimen, losing out on all the benefits physical activity brings with it.

2. You're missing out on good nutrients

A fad diet that removes one or more entire food groups (such as carbs, fat or protein) will most likely result in calorie cutting as well. And while reducing calories will of course result in weight loss, it comes at a high price. For instance, if this diet requires you to remove foods from your diet that are high in fibre and important nutrients, you could end up with complications such as nutrient deficiencies and changes in your digestive, muscle and bone health. Is it really worth it then? Think about it!

3. You will feel deadly dehydrated

Fad diets can make you feel weak and dehydrated because you are not drinking enough fluids or eating enough calories. If you are looking towards shedding those extra pounds, a better way would be to focus on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy products and lean proteins every day.

Fad diets remove the eating balance that you need for a healthy and fulfilling way of living. From vitamin A to C and D, they are all equally essential for different reasons and have different roles to perform. Hence, choosing one fad diet over another will not solve your problem or help your cause either because each of them will ultimately result in you losing out on some vitamin or another.

4. They can be extravagantly expensive

These new-fangled diets can cause a major dent in your pockets. For example, if you are going to a so-called 'certified' dietician for Keto, the fees you will be charged will not only drain your wallet but also be a waste of money. In other cases, if you're following a diet in which you can only eat organic fruits and vegetables, grocery bills will go really high. Many fad diets, such as GOLO, also recommend the use of expensive supplements to go along with the diet.

5. They're not as sustainable as you think

You may not have enough time to lose weight for your big day and so you choose to opt for a fad diet plan for one month. While you will end up achieving your goal, you will surely end up gaining excess weight post-marriage when you will not only be overfed but because you would have stopped following the crash-course diet. Fad diets are not going to be successful in the long-term for your mental and physical health either if you are constantly thinking about what your next meal should be.

6. They can have a reverse effect

Ironically, one of the more common side effects of fad diets is often weight gain. This is because most of the weight loss from fad diets is typically due to simple water loss. Once you begin to eat normally again, the pounds pile back on, often in amounts greater than your original weight.

7. Your metabolism suffers

When you jump from one diet to another, your daily intake can start to fluctuate. Even if you stick with one diet for months, many of the most popular plans don't call for calorie counting, so you could end up consuming 2,000 calories one week and 1,200 the next without realising it. That fluctuation is a major problem. If your energy consumption isn't consistent, it can slow down your metabolism, so you end up gaining weight. It can also me a major mood-bummer, causing you to feel frustrated, lethargic, annoyed and hungry. It is best to spend the first few days of a new diet tracking your calories to make sure you're staying in a healthy range. Try to eat four to six smaller meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism in check.

The best way to maintain or lose weight is by eating healthy and indulging in regular physical activity. This does not mean that you need to purchase expensive foods or hit a gym that will charge you a fortune. You could be running up and down the stairs in your house everyday or using a jumping rope in the garden. Similarly, you could be eating fruits and vegetables in abundance and lots of salads that will eventually aid weight loss. Transition becomes your constant body state. If you're trying a new diet every month, your body is constantly playing catch-up, and that can be hard on your system. Slow and steady wins the race, so while you may want to look picture-perfect at the earliest, keep reminding yourself that the faster it takes to lose weight, the easier it will be to put all those calories back on without realising it!