How To Recognize A Dangerous Diet: 5 Signs

Dangerous diets are those that promise miraculous results in a matter of days. In addition, they suggest cutting out nutritional groups or taking very few calories.

There is a set of characteristics that allow you to recognize a dangerous diet that can put health at risk. Although their consequences have long been warned, some still follow them because they have not been able to identify the risks they carry.

It is true that they are very attractive because they promise to help you lose weight in a miraculous way; however, in most cases they lead to failure and cause unwanted reactions in the body.
Why is it important to avoid these diets?

Although many appear “harmless” and “effective”, they produce nutritional deficiencies that increase the risk of disease. In addition, they almost always cause the “yo-yo” effect, which means that the person regains the lost weight in a short time.

Signs to recognize a dangerous diet

Misconceptions about diet are the reasons why many fail to recognize a dangerous diet. Associating the term ‘diet’ with regimes of days or weeks is what prevents understanding the importance of nutrition.

Thus, it should be clarified at this point that a good diet does not apply a certain period of time. For its effects to be permanent on health and weight, eating healthy is an irreplaceable habit within the lifestyle.

Therefore, if the objective is to improve nutrition and take care of the figure, you must have knowledge to identify those ‘miracle’ eating plans that do little or nothing.

Below we want to share some key signs for everyone to take into account now.

1. They restrict nutritional groups

All essential nutrients play an important role in the functions of the body. Therefore, when you adopt a diet that suggests you stop eating foods from one of the nutritional groups, you are increasing the risk of unwanted side reactions.

At first they seem to give good results, since a considerable amount of weight is lost in a matter of weeks. However, by causing a deficit of any of the macro or micronutrients, the metabolism is altered and diseases develop. An example is the vitamin D deficiency, which has been shown to increase the incidence of complex pathologies.

2. They promise rapid weight loss

When people adopt a healthy diet they can lose between 0.5 and 1 kilo per week. In contrast, the ‘miracle’ regimens offer to lose 5 or more kilos in this same period of time. The problem is that to meet the goal they force to eat less than 1,200 calories a day.

These high calorie restrictions alter metabolic functions and cause a deterioration of muscle mass, since the body does not receive the nutritional contribution it needs. Therefore, he begins to use muscle mass as a resource to obtain energy.

3. They have attractive names

Sometimes to recognize a dangerous diet it is enough to analyze its name; Is it related to a fruit? Does it have the name of a Hollywood celebrity? Well, although not all are harmful, most suggest low-calorie and restrictive plans that affect health.

A good diet is one that complies with the concept of healthy eating. In fact, to be effective and safe, the ideal is that it adapts to the needs of each one, according to the stage, health condition and habits.

4. They are based on nutritional supplements

Is the plan suggesting to replace main meals with supplements like shakes or pills? Careful! This is a clear sign to recognize a dangerous diet. While supplements can support weight loss, they should never be the foundation of your diet.

In addition, there are few substances whose effect on weight loss has been evidenced. An example of them is caffeine, as demonstrated by a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Following these types of programs prevents you from achieving a good eating routine that includes all the nutritional groups. Therefore, after returning to normal eating habits, the lost weight is regained in a short time.

5. They do not recommend other healthy habits

Titles like ‘lose 5 kilos without exercising’ or ‘the best diet to burn fat without a gym’ alert an unreliable eating plan. In general, it is important to understand that losing weight is the result of a set of healthy habits.

Thus, although a healthy diet can alleviate overweight, it is essential to adopt other good habits such as:

• Physical exercise.
• Meditation.
• Adequate rest

Why is it important to recognize a dangerous diet?

Most “miracle” diets produce unwanted effects, although not all of them immediately. The consequences are even worse when the person is unaware that they have diseases such as hypertension or diabetes.

Recognizing a dangerous diet is important because:

• The nutritional deficiencies they produce increase the risk of osteoporosis, anemia and other chronic diseases.
• By altering the metabolism, it slows down its functions and increases the tendency to accumulate fat later.
• They lead to bouts of depression, frustration, and anxiety.
• They can be triggers for eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. These eating disorders are becoming more and more frequent, as confirmed by research published in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
• They deteriorate muscle mass and increase flaccidity.

• They increase the production of hunger hormones.

Beware of miracle diets

In conclusion, the best way to take care of the body through diet is with a plan that is tailored to individual needs. Therefore, in addition to respecting the criteria of a balanced diet, it is advisable to consult a nutritionist to help us adapt it correctly.