Fad Diets - Why Are They Bad?

Like most of the quick weight loss diet programs including fad diets, why are they bad for the body?

Fad diets are a sort of diet plan or aid that aims at losing weight, usually in a relatively short time. Fad diets attract a large number of people who suffer from weight problems and are helplessly looking to some way of arriving at a shapely physique. The problem with fad diets is that their fat-reducing effect is temporary and results in quick regain of weight. What is worse is that most of these diets are harmful to health. This is the main reason why fad diets are bad for the body.

Fat diets are not as new as they might seem at first. It started more than a century ago when an obese Londoner was prescribed fad diets on experimental basis. It is only after a century and a half that fad diets have become popular as a kind of weight loss diet plan. Teens and young adults especially flock to fad diets for answers to weight problems.

Fad diets are usually centered on a higher consumption of fats or proteins while stressing to go easy on or, in some cases, completely cut out carbohydrates. It is the low intake of carbohydrates that brings about rapid weight loss. In fact, this rapid loss is the loss of water that glycogen has stored. With loss of glycogen, the large amount of water stored in it is also lost and body weight drops. The fats are still there and as the fad diets are given up, the body regains its proportion of water lost. Weight is put back on as fast as it was lost.

People on fad diets may feel weak and fatigue. Normally, carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. Since fad diets rip off carbohydrates the body will use stored fat for energy and this may seem beneficial but in fact it is not. Without carbohydrates, fats cannot be completely oxidized and put to work. This is the reason why people feel tired and weak. In addition, the ketone molecules resulting from the fat-breakdown accumulate in the blood and are excreted out via urine, causing dehydration.

Given the harmful health effects of fad diets, it is important for us, especially the weight-conscious people, to recognize and beware of these diet plans. Watch out for diets that:

• Promise quick weight loss
• Publicize before and after pictures
• Present weight-loss testimonials
• Tend to limit natural food choices
• Require a large sum of money

Fad diets may be popular, but it is very bad for your body. It could lead to death from fad diets. Be careful with any diet or exercise program and ask your doctor to be sure it is safe.

The best solution to lose weight is to lose fat and not water or muscles. A sensible diet with adequate exercise is the answer to it.