Safety questions about fad diets

The most important question about any weight-loss plan is not whether it is effective, but whether it’s safe and healthy for you.
Many fad diets work for a short period of time, usually causing you to lose kilograms due to possibly unhealthy calorie reduction or water weight loss. However, while you are reaping the benefits of your new quick weight-loss plan, you have to consider its overall nutritional makeup. Unfortunately, many fad diets do not meet the nutritional needs of most people. Here are some signs/ symptoms that a fad diet is not healthy for you:

•     Muscle cramps

•     Dizziness

•     Confusion

•     Fainting

•     Dehydration

•     Severe constipation or diarrhoea

•     Mood changes

•     Constant hunger

People who are on medication or have chronic health concerns must be extremely cautious with fad diets, and should always talk to a doctor before trying any new diet. The fact that the diet resulted in quick weight loss without meeting your nutritional needs can lead to regaining weight rapidly if you revert back to your old eating habits and, ultimately, to yo-yo dieting.

Experts say that fad diets set the individual up for failure. When the diet fails, the dieters may blame themselves and develop a feeling of demoralization and hopelessness in that they are unable to lose weight. This can make it harder to make the healthy changes needed for long-term weight loss.

If you are concerned that a weight-loss plan could be a fad diet, do some research - look for the science behind the diet’s claims. A better solution is to work with a nutritionist or registered dietitian to create a realistic diet that will be effective for you.

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