Are crash diets good for you?

Every few weeks there are new theories on diets and what may or may not be good for you. While crash dieting (i.e losing weight at a quicker pace by reducing the amount of calories consumed) has conventionally been frowned upon, new studies suggest it may not be that harmful. Rapidly changing ones diet is said to come with its health risks and most have suggested that regaining lost weight is much easier than post a slower more controlled diet.

A study published in the medical journal The Lancet tested 200 obese adults who were either assigned a 12-week low-calorie diet or a 36-week gradual weight loss diet. Results showed that 81 per cent of people in the rapid weight loss group achieved the target weight loss, compared to 50 per cent of those in the gradual weight loss group. But they found that individuals who regained weight added on the pounds at the same rate regardless of whether they previously lost it quickly or gradually.

CAN WORK SHORT-TERM
Dr Amrapali Patil, nutritionist and weight management expert, Trim N Tone says there are a set of people who benefit from crash diets. "Some of these can work on morbidly obese people but only as a short-term goal. One's BMI (Body mass index) can come crashing down with crash dieting and it can increase your propensity to gather weight as well as lead to bulimia or anorexia. On such diets, one loses body water and not fat and there is possible nutrient loss. Crash dieting can only work if kept in check with the required daily allowance of nutrients being met," she adds.

GRADUAL WEIGHT LOSS BETTER
There are some succesful crash diets but still gradual weight loss offers better results says Mehar Panjwani, consulting dietitian and Lec member, Indian Dietetic Association Mumbai. "Instead of crash dieting for the entire day, one can go lighter on certain meals, by opting for soups and salads. A total crash diet is not advisable as the system may not take the drastic calorie change leading to hair fall or colon problems. By and large, one needs to monitor one's progress. In my experience, the slower one drops weight, the slower one regains."

AGE IS A FACTOR
Crash diets mainly work for younger people aged 35 or younger explains Suman Agarwal, nutritionist and fitness consultant. "If one is in their 30s or younger, drastic weight loss will not have a detrimental effect on one's health. Also, one can always regain muscle quickly. But in those aged 50-60, such dieting can have a detrimental effect. I generally don't prescribe such diets as one can't control the weight gain later."

COMPLETELY AGAINST IT
Fitness expert Deanne Panday says she doesn't believe in shocking the system. "Everything should be slow and gradual. I'm not sure how true this study is. But going below 1200 calories a day is bad for your body. I feel a well-balanced diet with three meals and a few snacks in between with all the food groups, is ideal."