Can Fad Diets Worsen The Effects of Obesity
Posted by on January 7th, 2010
It is undeniable that we will do anything to lose weight. From following extreme celebrity diets such as the Alternate-Day Diet and the cabbage diet, to literally starving ourselves of food, we will do anything. However to experience credible, safe weight loss that lasts, the truest way to lose weight is to follow a sensible eating and exercise plan.
Research by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSA) has found that our unhealthy attitude to why lose weight can trigger eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and orthorexia (where suffers become obsessed with only eating good foods).
How does the Alternate-Day Diet (ADD) Work?
Under this weight loss plan, you alternate between days where you eat what you want one day (without intentionally overeating) to the next limiting your calorie intake to just 500 calories.
Slimmer’s are advised to follow this extreme diet for 2 weeks – although 3 sessions of this alternating can be enough – in order to turn on the gene SIRT1 which is designed to reduce the amount of fat your body stores. After these 2 weeks, you can increase your 500 calorie a day intake to 50% of your recommended daily calorie intake (1,200 calories).
Now although this type of diet will promote fast weight loss if you are conscious of your calorie consumption on your ‘up’ days; the ADD is not a safe long term solution and can in fact cause overeating if you are not able to maintain these eating habits.
And this unfortunately is the same of all dietary fads.
Despite their best intentions to help your lose weight fast, the limited longevity and nutrient deprivation that they encourage can ultimately worsen the effects of obesity when they end.
Why? Because after such restricted periods of limited calorie consumption, once your body is free of it, it will seek to supplement your food cravings, triggering overeating and eventual weight gain.
How to experience safe weight loss?
It may seem like the longest route to your why lose weight ambitions, but modifying your eating habits steadily and increasing your exercise levels can ensure that your body has the time to adapt to these dietary changes and perceive them as the norm.
So take your time, and plan your diet carefully. Fad diets may feel like a fast weight loss solution, but all they will do is promote increased weight gain in the future.
Tags: how to lose weight, safe weight loss, why lose weight, why weight loss