5 Reasons Fad Diets Don’t Work

If you find it hard to lose weight, you’re not alone. In fact, the challenges that come with shedding excess weight have launched a $72 billion industry in the United States. 

Between meal replacements, fitness apps, and a bevy of fad diets, these trendy approaches promise enticing results. Some people even see dramatic weight loss in the first month or two. Unfortunately, most individuals plateau within six months and find themselves regaining those pounds — and more — soon afterward.

At Pompeyo Chavez, MD, in Bastrop, Texas, Dr. Chavez offers medically supervised weight loss programs designed to help you achieve lasting results. They share these five insights into why fad diets don’t work.

1. They’re only a quick fix

If you see a diet that promises fast and easy weight loss, it’s probably a fad diet. These approaches often include eliminating specific foods or cleanses and “detoxes” that remove impurities from your body. 

Fad diets, however, don’t focus on the issues leading to weight gain in the first place. So, while those unwanted pounds may seem to fall off at the beginning of the program, they’ll come right back as soon as you resume your normal eating habits.

2. They’re too restrictive

Imagine swapping your regular meals for purées or baby food. How about only eating foods that maintain an optimal pH level in your body? Or, one of our personal favorites, consuming large amounts of cabbage soup for seven days to see that unwanted fat melt away.

These approaches may seem tempting in the short term because of their weight loss promises, but restrictive diets don’t provide long-term solutions. Instead, any changes on the scale are likely due to a combination of lost water, fat, and even muscle.

3. They’re not realistic

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to weight loss, and your unique needs play a crucial role in the most effective strategy. As a result, healthy weight management is a complex process that requires long-term lifestyle changes and commitment. 

Fad diets rarely include methods people can follow for the rest of their lives. That means you’re unlikely to maintain the results you see in the initial stages of the diet.

4. They aren’t healthy

One of the reasons fad diets often offer dramatic results early on is due to their restrictive natures, especially in calories and nutrients. That also means they can keep you from getting the nutrition you need to remain in peak performance.

When you fail to get the proper nutrients, it’s common to feel weak, tired, or run down. At the same time, the process of losing weight only to regain and lose it again also impacts your health and your caloric needs. In fact, weight cycling can even increase your risks of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

5. They don’t emphasize balance

Fad diets tend to have a lot of things in common, such as:

• Eliminating certain “bad” foods
• Claiming fast and easy weight loss
• Combining certain foods for optimal digestion
• Highlighting the benefits of certain foods, like grapefruit, lemonade, or cabbage soup
• Requiring supplements like fat burners and metabolism boosters

However, they rarely emphasize exercise, sleep quality, and stress management — crucial factors for effective weight loss these days.

Our team at Pompeyo Chavez, MD develops completely customizable and balanced weight loss programs that support your weight loss journey. This approach helps reshape your lifestyle so you can embrace a newer and healthier life moving forward.

Stop wasting your time on quick fixes and fad diets. Our top-quality, medically supervised weight loss programs can improve your health for a lifetime. Schedule a consultation today at our office in Bastrop, Texas.