4 Risks of Crash Diets

What you may not know is that crash diets can do more than just leave you feeling frustrated and hungry. These kinds of diets often come with several other health risks.

Promises of fast weight loss with crash diets can often prove hard to resist.  If you’re like many people, you’ve probably tried at least one juice fast, grapefruit or similar diet over the years for fast weight loss, and it probably was anything BUT effective in the long run.  What you may not know is that crash diets can do more than just leave you feeling frustrated and hungry.  These kinds of diets often come with several other health risks, including these outlined by the Obesity Action Coalition:

  • Gallstones – Experts believe changes in fat metabolism that happen during rapid weight loss as well as weight cycling can increase the risk of these painful formations.
  • Loss of Lean Body Mass – This can negatively impact both metabolism and strength and lead to lower bone density later in life.
  • Poor Nutrition – Without enough food, chances are you aren’t getting enough nutrients, leading to a variety of deficiencies.
  • The Rebound Effect – Your body is programmed to survive.  When it thinks you’re starving due to a crash diet, your body responds by slowing the metabolism to conserve calories, leading to faster weight gain once you return to eating a regular diet.

If you find yourself tempted by the lure of “10 pounds in 3 days” and similar claims, remember that there can be serious risks with fast weight loss.  Stick to a quality ingredients like lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables in recommended amounts, practice moderation and include regular activity as part of your day to lose weight without the side effects. When dining out, look for dietitian-recommended menu choices that include diet-friendly ingredients that can also help you lose weight.