Fad diets

Generally these "magic" cures are expensive with only short-term results (weight is picked up again in the long term - often more than the original weight). With quick weight loss, it is usually not fat that is lost, but fluid and muscle mass.
The following are characteristics of fad diets:

• Promises of large and rapid weight loss

• Short-term diet

• No exercise required

• Special garments or passive exercise machines involved

• Magical ingredients with special abilities to speed up metabolism

• Claims to eat as much as you like and still lose weight

• Combinations of specific foods are advocated

• The use of only one or two types of food

• An exotic range of expensive and unusual foods

• Special powders, pills and meal replacements

• Food replacements and vitamin/mineral supplements

These diets are usually very low in energy, causing the body's metabolism to slow down. The body has to then function on a lower food intake, creating the impression that it is being starved. As the metabolism slows down, the dietary intake also needs to be lowered to cause continuous weight loss, resulting in a slower weight loss or a complete stop. The dieter gets frustrated because the weight loss has slowed down, he/she feels hungry all the time and is simply bored with the diet. This then causes the person to stop following the diet and revert back to the previous way of eating.
Additionally, these diets are nutritionally inadequate, very boring, are unscientifically based and usually require nutritional supplementation.
 
A healthy eating plan should be adopted instead and a dietician consulted if necessary.

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