As the summer months approach, some of us look towards crash diets as they promise speedy weight-loss results, but are they worth it? The question is an important one as a lot of health professionals are not in favour of crash diets and some even going so far as to advise that they can be bad for your health.
What is a Crash Diet?
A crash diet is a short-term diet plan that puts extreme restrictions on the individual dieting, in order to lose weight quickly. Some crash diets cut out entire food groups, and others are restricted to just one type of food. Examples of these include diets like juice cleanses, soup diets and fasting.
Why Someone May Want to Avoid Crash Diets
Here are several reasons why crash diets may simply not be worth the effort.
- They require you to eat far fewer calories than your body needs, leaving you hungry and unsatisfied all day. This also means you’ll be more vulnerable to bingeing if you get too hungry.
- You’ll have lower energy levels and might even start to feel weak and dizzy.
- They slow down your metabolism, meaning you will actually burn fewer calories.
- These meal plans often cut valuable nutrients (like carbohydrates and fats) out of your daily diet.
- Calorie restriction and rapid weight loss make you lose muscle mass.
- A sudden extreme diet can negatively affect your memory, concentration and mood.
- They can give you temporary results but these won’t last in the long run.
A Healthier Alternative
There are plenty of smarter ways you can manage your calorie intake and control your weight in a healthy, sustainable way – without resorting to crash dieting. These include regular exercise, portion control and eating more whole foods and less processed foods.
Don’t be fooled by clever marketing and empty promises. A balanced daily diet and fun active exercise will keep you happier and healthier than a crash diet could.