No matter how much health officials say that fad dieting is a bad idea, people still do it. This year, the British Dietetic Association released a list of the ones that are the most dangerous—a list that will almost definitely go ignored by those seeking to drop a quick few pounds.
Here are the greatest hits—the most dangerous and insensible diets, as decided by the BDA.
- The No-Sugar Diet. Celebrities like Tom Hanks and Alec Baldwin swear by this diet, and while cutting out added sugars is a good idea for your health, the No-Sugar diet cuts ALL of them. Cutting all of your sugar includes fruits and vegetables, as well as several dairy products. Not only that, but often they suggest substituting agave, maple syrup, or honey for sugar, all of which are just sugar in the end.
- The Kale and Chewing Gum Diet. It is what it sounds like Jake Gyllenhal did this “diet” in order to lose weight for a part in a film. But it’s as disastrous of an idea as it sounds like. Just because kale is a “superfood” doesn’t mean it can give you all the nutrients you need. It’s also an antisocial diet, as it doesn’t allow you to eat with friends, and it’s just not nutritious.
- The Bulletproof Diet. This diet, advocated by a “biohacker,” is practiced by celebrities like Harry Styles and Shailene Woodley. It claims that putting two tablespoons of butter in your coffee can “supercharge“ your brain for the rest of the day. But drinking 400 calories worth of coffee and butter in the morning gives you lots of enerfy and not a lot of nutrients. Not only that, but the rest of the diet is high-fat, which in the long term is unhealthy and unsustainable.
- The Super Elixir. This diet is endorsed by Elle Macpherson, but it’s just as ridiculous as the rest. It’s a powder that you put in water, and it contains 45 ingredients, including fruits and veggies, sweeteners, Chinese herbs, and enzymes. You’re supposed to get two teaspoons per day, but a month’s supply is a whopping $145. Why not save some money and just eat actual fruits and veggies?
