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How many times have you decided to go on diet, only to lose the plot a few days later? You shouldn’t feel bad because you’d have to be superhuman manage constantly ‘sticking to a diet’ – it’s not natural and eventually your body will let you know it’s unhappy. Recent studies prove that diets do more harm than good. Dieters can put their health at risk in the long term. So why fight the odds?

Dieting: the side-effects

Imagine life without that overwhelming feeling of despair that comes with dieting. You’ll also avoid the self-esteem crashing feelings that follow: guilt and anxiety. There are many more side-effects that come with dieting:

The physical risks:

• Metabolism ‘meltdown’: The rate at which energy is burned can actually slow down due to strict dieting.
• Disease: Losing weight through dieting often leads to a later gaining of weight. The cycle can lead to heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
• Increased cortisol levels: Dieters experience stress, further adding to their health risks.
• Bad breath: Not only does bad breath follow a dieter but so do constipation and the possibility of headaches and restless sleep.

The psychological risks:

• Eating disorders: Research shows that teenage girls who are extreme dieters are 18 times more likely to develop eating disorders than non-dieting teenagers.
• Obsession and impact on social life: Dieting can lead to unhealthy avoidance behavior which can make life uncomfortable in general.
• Loss of self-esteem: Feelings of depression and guilt can wreak havoc with a dieter’s psychological well-being.

Being on diet can feel like you’re at war with yourself and it’s always a short-term solution.  Instead of following the latest diet fad, rather focus on your vitality, your health and your life. Consider the value of nutrition and exercise.

Tags: diet