They become desperate to achieve the body they feel they need to have the life they hope for. This desperation can lead to behaviors the individual would never think they would engage in prior to dieting.

People validate the surface-level changes without recognizing the physical and emotional consequences for the individual are dire. It is worth considering the fact that there is a gray area between the non-diet lifestyle and full-on dieting or disordered eating.

This gray area can involve those that need dietary changes to cope and survive with medical disorders. These professionals and skills can help you learn how to take care of your body in the best way to live an optimal life not because of your appearance or social acceptance but because you are fueled to live and be alive.

If, through reading this, you have become concerned that your diet, or the diet of someone you love, has turned into an eating disorder, do your best not to panic. Eating disorders are highly treatable illnesses and there is a great deal of support for them these days. Many eating disorder professionals understand the relationship between dieting and eating disorders and how one can turn into the other.

To begin your journey out of a disordered and diet-focused life, first reach out to a trusted professional such as Primary Care Doctor or Therapist.

They can support you in exploring your experience of your own nutrition. Seeking out an eating disorder educated professional is even better as they are more informed on how to support you and provide you with necessary referrals.

I encourage you to seek out non-diet educators and professionals, and begin the journey of ditching the diet mentality for good. The information contained on or provided through this service is intended for general consumer understanding and education and not as a substitute for medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

All information provided on the website is presented as is without any warranty of any kind, and expressly excludes any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Need Help - Find A Treatment Program Today. What is a Fad Diet? These diets are often popular because rapid weight-loss occurs.

Many are unaware that this rapid weight loss is actually due to losing water weight. Liquid Diets: These diets involve extremely low caloric intake calories yet promise to provide the body with necessary nutrients. Examples of this are shakes such as SlimFast or juice cleanses. Very Low-Calorie Diets: These diets are popular and incredibly dangerous as they are essentially self-starvation.

The Cambridge Diet is an example of this [3]. Sole-Intake Diets: These diets might encourage an individual to consume only one type of food and have severe health consequences.

Examples of this are the Cider Vinegar and Vitamin B6 diets [3]. Fad Diet Statistics and Facts There is a movement of backlash toward diets that has led to a great deal of research being conducted on their impact and effectiveness.

adults tried to lose weight in the last 12 months [1]. From , Younger adults are less likely to be on a diet than older adults, with Related Reading Foods That Will Make You Feel Good How Your Metabolism Functions Physical Cues of Hunger and Satiety Dietitian Crafted Meal Plans Misconceptions of Healthy Eating Mindful Eating and Appetite Awareness Nutrition Care Process and Assessment How Your Body Uses Nutrients How Much Food Should I Eat?

Shifting Body Image During BED Recovery The Dangers of Fad Diets Considering the statistics above regarding the success of diets might be enough to convince individuals to ditch the diet mentality, If you need further convincing, read below to learn that not only do diets have no pros, they have a great deal of cons.

Long-Term Health Risks of Fad Diets To see the negative impacts of dieting behaviors, one does not need to look further than the body itself. Fad Diets vs. Healthy Eating It is worth considering the fact that there is a gray area between the non-diet lifestyle and full-on dieting or disordered eating.

What to do When a Fad Diet Turns into an Eating Disorder If, through reading this, you have become concerned that your diet, or the diet of someone you love, has turned into an eating disorder, do your best not to panic. Related Reading How Safe Is the Keto Diet?

Is a Low Carb Diet Healthy? Is a Plant Based Diet Healthy? Is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Safe? Is the 3 Day Military Diet Healthy? Is the Atkins Diet Healthy? Is the BRAT Diet Healthy? Is The Carnivore Diet Healthy? Is the DASH Diet Safe? Is The Flexitarian Diet Safe? Is the Paleo Diet Healthy?

Is the Grazing Diet Healthy? Citations [1] Martin, C. et al The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Healthy eating. Home Healthy eating. Weight loss and fad diets.

Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Lose weight the right way It's easy to spot a fad diet Sometimes you need a special diet Fad diets can cause health problems The answer is a balanced eating plan Meeting your body's needs Carbohydrates are your body's fuel Protein helps your body build new cells Fat helps your body absorb nutrients Be active every day A healthy lifestyle is easier than you think Feel good about yourself Where to get help Things to remember.

Lose weight the right way You may be looking for a fast way to lose weight and there's no shortage of 'fad diets' around. It's easy to spot a fad diet Typically, a fad diet shares some, or all, of the following characteristics: Promises a quick fix. Promotes 'magic' foods or combinations of foods.

Implies that food can change body chemistry. Excludes or severely restricts food groups or nutrients, such as carbohydrates. Has rigid rules that focus on weight loss.

Makes claims based on a single study or testimonials only. Sometimes you need a special diet Of course, some medical conditions do require special eating plans. Fad diets can cause health problems Because they often cut out key foods, fad diets may cause the following symptoms: Dehydration.

Weakness and fatigue. Nausea and headaches. Inadequate vitamin and mineral intake. The answer is a balanced eating plan Don't worry. For a balanced eating plan to be successful, you need to: Eat plenty of vegetables, legumes and fruits.

Include a variety of cereals including breads, rice, pasta and noodles , preferably wholegrain. Include lean meat, fish, poultry or alternatives. Include milk, yoghurts, cheeses or alternatives. Drink plenty of water.

Limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake. Choose reduced fat varieties of foods where possible. Choose foods low in salt. Limit your alcohol intake, if you choose to drink.

Consume only moderate amounts of sugars, and food and drinks containing added sugars. In particular, limit sugar-sweetened beverages. Meeting your body's needs A stable body weight means that the amount of kilojoules from food matches the kilojoules used by your body.

Carbohydrates are your body's fuel Carbohydrates provide the body with kilojoules, or fuel. Foods that contain the most carbohydrates include: Fruit. Vegetables, especially potatoes and corn.

Legumes, including dried beans, peas and lentils. Breakfast cereal. Rice, pasta and noodles. Low-fat milk and yoghurt. Protein helps your body build new cells Protein is an essential nutrient that you need throughout life. Protein can be found in animal and plant-based foods: Animal protein — protein-containing foods from animals are meat, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy products.

Vegetable protein — protein-containing foods from plants include tofu, nuts, seeds, lentils, dried beans and peas, and soy milk. Fat helps your body absorb nutrients You need to eat some fat.

Be active every day Once you have a healthy eating pattern, you'll soon feel like you have more energy and you'll want to be more active. To make it easier for you to get the right amount of physical activity each day, here are a few suggestions: Think of movement as an opportunity, not an inconvenience.

Put together at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days. Enjoy some regular, vigorous exercise if you can for extra health and fitness. Remember, the more activity you do, the greater the benefits you'll enjoy. A healthy lifestyle is easier than you think Changing your eating and physical activity habits can be difficult at first.

Here are a few tips to help ease the transition: Combine an active lifestyle with healthy eating. Make small, achievable, lifelong changes to your lifestyle and eating habits.

Fill up on low-kilojoule nutritious foods. Keep portions moderate in size. Eat until you have had enough — not until you are full. Do your best to avoid eating when you are not hungry.

Recognise that on some days you might be hungrier than on other days. Eat slowly and enjoy your food. Eat regular meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Reduce the amount of 'extra' or 'sometimes' foods that you eat. Feel good about yourself Being healthy includes feeling good about yourself. Where to get help Your local doctor. Dietitians Association of Australia External Link Tel.

Things to remember Fad dieting is one pressure you don't need in your life. It's not difficult to change your lifestyle to help you maintain a healthy weight. A healthy eating plan will help you feel better and give you more energy.

National Health and Medical Research Council , Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults. A guide to healthy eating, External Link Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra.

More information here. National physical activity guidelines for Australians External Link , Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government. Gibson,S, , 'Sugar sweetened soft drink and obesity: a systematic review of the evidence from observational studies and interventions', Nutrition Research Reviews , vol.

Kausman, R.