Not only are these trends ineffective, but they can have serious consequences for your physical and mental health.
Design elements: Getty Images.
Despite what social media may have you believe, theres no magical solution for better health.
Photo:Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design/Cassie Basford.
In fact, some can be downright dangerous.
We spoke with registered dietitians about which dieting trends should be retired ASAP.
However, calorie counting can quickly go from helpful to harmful.
The short answer: No, it is not.
This low energy intake is simply not enough for an adult.
In actuality, 1,200 calories is roughly the caloric requirement of a toddler!
saysAnastasia Gialouris, RD, a registered dietitian from Brooklyn.
Another consequence of a 1,200-calorie diet?
So how many calories should you be eating instead?
Regular use of laxativesand diuretics can lead to longer-term complications and even death.
They interfere with the normal functioning of your body and can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Not only are diuretics and laxatives dangerous, but their effect on weight is short-lived.
Because only water weight is lost, youll likely regain the weight as soon as you drink more water.
Weight-Loss Supplements
If something sounds too good to be true, chances are it is.
Even if a product is free from banned substances, supplements arent always appropriate or effective for everyone.
Many weight-loss supplements are backed by poor research and dont do what they claim to do.
Beforepurchasing a supplement, talk with your health care provider about whether the product is safe.
Avoiding Cultural Foods
When you Google healthy food, what comes up?
Generally, youll get pictures of salads, quinoa and acai bowls, and plates resembling USDAs MyPlate.
This Western, narrow definition of healthy food may leave you wondering wherecultural foods can fit into healthy eating.
If cultural foods were genuinely unhealthy, we wouldnt need constant reminders telling us such, says Harbstreet.
Further, nutrition isnt the only reason for us to eatcultural foods.
Yet, when you eliminate an entire group of foods, you increase your risk for nutrient deficiencies.
So, where does the confusion stem from?
All foods can fit in a healthy diet.
And these claims arent exclusive to diets.
Many companies also use the term detox to market their food and supplement products to health-conscious consumers.
Your body has a built-in, very efficient detox system.
Waste products and toxins are removed from your body through your feces, urine, sweat and breath.
Because theyre typically very low in calories,detox dietscan help you lose weight quickly.
Detox diets dont work and can have serious consequences for your health.
Avoid the clickbait and instead focus on tried-and-true strategies that nurture your body.
Arumugham V, Shahin M.Therapeutic uses of diuretic agents.In:StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Soriano del Castillo JM, Zarzo Llobell MI.Dietas milagrosas: Pautas alimentarias que causan problemas de salud.Metode SSJ.
In:StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
