Fast weight loss diets are always in high demand, especially in today’s society where “thin is in” yet approximately 65% of Americans are overweight and one third are considered obese (at least 20% over ideal weight for height and body type).Fast weight loss diets can also be referred to as crash diets and include many of the fad diets that have appeared on the weight loss scene today.
Crash diets are only intended to be used for three to seven days at a time since they often reduce calories to an unhealthy low and/or do not contain balanced nutrients.They are not meant to be used as a permanent way of eating but rather to achieve a particular weight loss goal in a relatively short period of time.
Fast weight loss diets may seem appealing for those who want to achieve fast results, for example wanting to fit into that perfect dress for an upcoming special event like a wedding or class reunion.Some people believe that crash diets can help “get them started” on their weight loss goal before switching to a healthier, more permanent diet.Unfortunately, many people who attempt to stay on a fast weight loss diet find themselves hungry, fatigued, and more likely to binge once the diet has ended.
Popular fast weight loss diets include:
The cabbage soup diet
The chicken soup diet
The grapefruit diet
The bread and butter diet
The Russian Airforce diet
The Scarsdale diet
The 3-day diet
The 7-day diet
The Atkins diet
These diets are similar in a few ways.Diets like the cabbage soup diet and the chicken soup diet advise eating a particular breakfast and then consuming as much soup as you want to satisfy hunger for the rest of the day.Some diets require you to stick to a certain meal plan exactly in order to gain the desired results.There are even diets like the 7-day diet that claim you can eat as much as you want of whatever foods are on the list without worrying about calorie content, or the Atkins diet that claims you can eat as much meat and cheese as you want but little or no carbohydrate heavy foods like breads, pastas, starchy foods, or even higher carb fruits and vegetables.
The Atkins diet does say that you can stay on it for extended periods of time since the eating guidelines change after the first two weeks, but more and more doctors are recommending against it as a permanent way of eating.Any diet that you decide to adopt for a longer period of time should be talked over with your physician or a qualified dietician.He or she can help you determine if the chosen diet will be able to meet the body’s basic nutritional needs to if additional vitamin and mineral supplements are needed.
When you hear about a new fast weight loss diet, do some research before deciding to give it a try.Keep in mind that there have not been any conclusive studies to substantiate claims of magical food combinations that speed up metabolism or burn extra fat.Your body recognizes foods by their content, not what other foods are eaten at the same time.
There are a few tips included in some fad diets that do ring true, such as drinking at least eight glasses of water a day and avoiding non-diet sodas and other high calorie drinks.Drinking a full glass of water before each meal or snack will help your body feel fuller and therefore hopefully help you eat less at mealtime.
Though it isn’t what we all want to hear, keep in mind that no matter what a fast weight loss diet claims to be able to do for you, there is only one proven way to lose weight, be healthy, and keep the weight permanently: a combination of a balanced diet including all proper nutrients, vitamins, and minerals and regular, consistent exercise.Weight that comes off slower is more likely to stay off because your body wasn’t shocked into losing it.