Dietary and nutritional content reviewed by Jasmin Gorostiza, DT, DM, DSS, CFPP.️
We have been warned. Time and time again, we have heard about the dangerous effects of a fad or a crash diet.
There’s just no way that we are not aware of the dangerous effects of a fad diet. Growing up, our moms have probably warned us about it. Same with our doctors.
Fad or crash diets are bad for us. Yes, we have heard that before and we will hear it over and over again.
The immediate results from such diets aren’t worth it. As a matter of fact, the shattering effects can really put our health in serious danger.
So the next time we want to get on a diet to lose a couple of pounds, stay away from any kind of fad or crash diet. These 4 shattering effects are good reminders for us that fad or crash diets can do us more harm than good.
4. The Rebound Effect
When we drastically reduce calories, even if we need to lose weight, our body thinks we are starving. As a protective mechanism, our body slows our metabolism – but this makes it harder to keep losing weight. It also means that when we start adding more calories, we can regain weight very quickly. Many people will find they regain faster than they lost after this kind of drastic diet.
3. Poor Nutrition
While most of us have adequate nutrient stores to go very short periods of time without all of our essential nutrients, we can’t do this for long. Nutrient deficiencies can cause both short and long term health issues, some of which are very serious.
2. Loss of Lean Body Mass
When someone loses a lot of weight, some part of that weight is always likely to be lean body mass (muscle and bone) rather than fat. Following strict dietary protocols under the supervision of a health professional can help to minimize that and this is part of why physician supervision is important.
1. Gallstones
Large stones can cause severe pain and illness. Rapid weight-loss (3 pounds or more per week in this case) can significantly increase the risk of forming gallstones. Up to 25 percent of individuals who use diets that are very low in calories (800 or less) develop gallstones. Experts think this is from changes in fat metabolism that happen with very rapid weight-loss. Weight cycling – losing and regaining weight repeatedly – also increases the risk for gallstone formation.
It has been proven that a quick weight loss results to a quick weight gain as well. So why should we even seriously consider going on a fad or a crash diet only to end up gaining than losing?
If this is not convincing enough, then we should read the article of Dr. Jacqueline Jacques. She is a Naturopathic Doctor with expertise in medical nutrition. Her article, entitled The Risks of the Crash Diet, is definitely worth a read. You can read it here.
