4 Reasons to Stop Your Fad Diet

Fad diets promise to help you lose weight quickly, making them appealing to many people struggling with weight challenges. However, a fad diet is simply a fad with little to no evidence of true health benefits.

Even if following a fad diet results in quick weight loss, the results are often impermanent. In the worst cases, fad diets can compromise your health rather than improve it.

Your favorite fad diet isn’t the best way to reach your weight loss goals. Instead, consider visiting Salem Wellness Clinic in Salem, Oregon, for personalized weight management and nutrition counseling.

A personalized weight loss program from Laika Rodriguez, ND, is a safe and effective way to reduce your weight and improve your health.

If you’re exploring different strategies for weight loss, consider these 4 reasons to avoid (or stop following) fad diets:

1. Fad diets are too restrictive

Fad diets often rely on deprivation. Unfortunately, that can backfire. For example, if your fad diet is too restrictive, it may lead to disordered eating. Additionally, a restrictive diet can cause or amplify cravings, which may eventually lead to a binging cycle.

It’s important to note that you can still achieve weight loss and reach your health goals without fully avoiding the foods you love most. Dr. Rodriguez teaches you about nutrition so you can eat mindfully.

2. Fad diets can compromise your health

Some fad diets don’t account for your nutritional needs and can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, fad diets can impact your mental health by leading to disordered eating patterns.

If a fad diet requires avoiding specific food groups, you may not be getting enough of the nutrients those foods provide. Health issues that can arise due to nutrient deficiencies include:

Anemia
Digestive problems
Fatigue
Irregular heartbeat
Low bone density
Memory problems
Aches and pains
Autoimmune diseases and flare-ups
Chronic inflammation

A well-rounded diet complete with fiber, carbs, healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals is the best way to maintain your health and avoid deficiency-related health problems.

3. Fad diets aren’t sustainable

Because fad diets are so restrictive, they aren’t sustainable. Even if a fad diet could potentially lead to weight loss or health improvements, its restrictions can make it difficult to commit to long-term.

4. There isn’t enough evidence

Most fad diets lack evidence of their effectiveness because they don’t have any long-term studies to support them.

Alternatively, plenty of scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of low-calorie eating and other strategies for weight loss.

Whether your main goal is weight loss, hypertension management, or having more energy, Dr. Rodriguez teaches you about evidence-based nutrition so you can reap the benefits of healthy eating.