If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
You’ve likely seen headlines like “Lose 10 pounds in 10 days!”, “Eliminate belly fat with one trick,” or “Drop three dress sizes in one month!”. It’s hard to miss these extreme diet claims, especially during the new year – but they should raise a red flag when you see them. They’re likely fad diets that won’t work, won’t be sustainable, and in the worst case, could compromise your health. So here’s the critical info on rapid weight loss diets, why they’re so detrimental, and how to lose weight safely.
What is Rapid Weight Loss?
Any diet that claims to help you lose a significant amount of weight in a short period can be considered a rapid weight loss diet.
Research shows that a weight loss of 0.5-1kg per week is not only safe for your body but also much easier to sustain over time.1
Whereas losing 2kgs or more per week is a rapid rate of weight loss that could be dangerous in the long run.
Extreme low-calorie diets are based on the calorie balance weight-loss method but are far too restrictive. Any calorie intake less than 1200 per day can be considered an extremely low-calorie diet. Staying under this calorie level consistently may lead to rapid weight loss. Still, it also can make it difficult to obtain essential macros (protein, carbs, fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
Very low-calorie diets should only be done under medical direction and supervision, when professionals can monitor your intake and how your body responds.
Starvation diets are an extreme form of calorie restriction – typically recommending you only consume water with some other common kitchen ingredients. There is no magic potion for weight loss – no matter what type of vinegar, citrus, or spice you add to your water. Without adequate calorie intake, you won’t have the energy to do anything that could help you lose weight.
Cleanses are another diet that promises rapid weight loss by consuming only certain drinks – typically juices, smoothies, or teas. These may lead to a quick loss of water weight but are usually not nutritionally adequate to long-term support your health.
While nutrient-packed juices claim to “cleanse and reset your body,” we can only absorb so many vitamins and minerals each day – most of them are flushed quickly through your system. The best way to cleanse your body is to consistently eat a varied, healthy diet. Your kidneys and liver do all of the cleansings that your body needs.
Is Rapid Weight Loss Safe?
While following one of the fad diet patterns above might not cause you to harm in the first few days, they can pose serious risks long-term. Without adequate nutrition, you won’t exercise and may even struggle to concentrate or complete your daily activities.
Rapid weight loss has been shown to cause several medical complications requiring treatment, such as gallstones.2 Extreme weight loss can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and blood sugar control issues. Plus, you’ll likely feel weak, irritable, and can lose lean body mass (muscle).
How to Lose Weight Safely
The actual “trick” to weight loss is a healthy lifestyle that combines eating less and exercising more to achieve a negative calorie balance.
So let’s get back to the basics. Calories are a measure of energy, and carbohydrates, fat, and protein are the macronutrients that contribute calories as fuel for our body. Vitamins and minerals are examples of micronutrients that are also important for health. We burn a fair number of calories just going about our days, but exercise is often the key to helping us burn more than we’re consuming.
Because all macronutrients play essential roles in keeping our bodies functioning, be wary of diets that exclude entire food groups or are very restrictive.
Diet culture might tell you that fruit is too high in sugar or that some vegetables have too many carbs, but carbs and sugars aren’t inherently “bad.” Sure, you can get too much sugar if you eat three bushels of bananas a day – but sugar usually only causes problems when it’s refined in things like desserts, chocolates, and sweets, and usually only if you’re eating them excessively.
A healthy calorie deficit that helps us lose weight gradually and sustainably is key to weight loss.
How to calculate your calorie deficit
It takes a deficit of about 500 calories per day to lose approximately 1 pound per week. That 500-calorie deficit can be a combination of eating less and moving more. If you’re already highly active in the gym, you might need to focus more on your calorie intake. If your calorie intake is already at a reasonable level, you might need to work harder in the gym to see weight loss. Most people need a combination of both approaches.
Losing 1-2 pounds per week is a safe rate of weight loss that people can usually maintain over time.1 Use our macro calculator if you need somewhere to start. Counting calories and exercising takes a lot of work but feels the most satisfying when you reach your goals.
Calculate a healthy calorie deficit in 3 steps here…
