Fad Diets Promise Unrealistic Long-Term Results

Losing weight gradually involves making strategic dietary changes and maintaining activity levels that you can stick with forever. If weight loss tapers off, you may need to make tactical adjustments. Take a moment to learn key facts about the dangers of quick weight loss, weight regain, and weight cycling. Fad diets that promise pie-in-the-sky results often leave followers with hunger pangs and other side effects, such as:

• Gallstones - Being overweight or obese makes it more likely that you will develop gallstones, so losing weight is beneficial. However, losing weight too fast actually increases your risk of developing gallstones.
• Hormones Out of Whack - Losing weight too fast can trigger hormonal changes that could lead to acne, mood swings, depression, sleep disturbances and other undesirable symptoms like menstrual irregularities.
• Headaches - Your bodily functions are regulated by naturally occurring elements and any energy imbalances can lead to hunger headaches and increased tension.
• Loss of Muscle Mass - Not only does a loss of muscle mass translate to less strength for accomplishing your daily activities, it also reduces the amount of fat-burning tissues in your body when you need them the most.
• Nutritional Deficiencies - While losing weight is obviously great for your health, it isn't the only thing you need to worry about. Your fad diet may be cutting out foods that provide important vitamins and nutrients.
• Fat Loss Flatline - When the brain detects a loss of lean body mass, it assumes the body needs fewer calories to function and will often lower your metabolism making it easier to store fat.

Blindly following the latest fad diet can not only prevent you from achieving permanent weight loss, but it can also trigger dangerous side effects like slowing your metabolic rate. Once you revert to older eating habits, you’re likely to regain more weight than you lost. Since fad diets are often low in fiber, you can dehydrate without noticing a change in fluid intake. This can lead to stomach problems, constipation, and unhealthy changes in the probiotics in your GI tract. To be safe, seek professional help with designing a personalized menu plan.