Dieting involves eating food in a controlled and supervised manner to reduce, maintain or increase weight. Dietary control is the conscious restriction or control of food intake. Overweight or obese people often use a restricted diet. Healthy eating is important, but some people are tempted to follow fad diets which promise quick results. This can have a negative impact on your health.
Side effects of dieting:-
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Severe Dietary Restriction Leads to Many Nutrient Deficiencies such as Carbohydrates, Proteins, Vitamins (especially Vitamin A, D, E & K), and Minerals like Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, etc. These food groups are essential, and their absence from the diet can cause many deficiency illnesses.
- Slow metabolism – Dieting that involves a drastic reduction in calorie intake can cause a sluggish metabolism. As soon as the body realizes it does not have enough calories, it goes into starvation or self-preservation mode. In order to conserve energy, the body slows its metabolism. This allows it to store fat and also use muscle for energy. Slow metabolism results in a gradual weight loss, with some fat but less muscle.
- Changed Mood: Severe Dieting Does Not Provide Appropriate Quantity of Food in Our Body. It can cause hormonal changes and lower blood sugar levels. The body can feel more tired when very little energy is being consumed.
- Headache: Another side effect of rapid, unsafe weight loss is headaches. To prevent headaches, eat regularly and drink lots of water both before and after exercising.
- Constipation – It is the condition of having an irregular bowel motion and is common when dieting severely. In such cases, it is recommended that you increase your fibre intake, including green leafy vegetables, fruits and green vegetables. Also, drinking plenty of water is highly effective.
- Gallstones– This is a serious effect of a low-calorie diet. The liver secretes extra cholesterol when the body begins to lose weight too rapidly. Gallstones can also be caused by too much cholesterol in the bile. Gallstones can cause pain in the upper abdomen and back and also symptoms like nausea, vomiting and bloating.
- Menstrual Issues: Severe Dieting can lead to rapid weight loss, which may force the female to shut down all non-essential survival functions. Menstrual cycles can also be adversely affected.
There are various ways to lose weight quickly, but they are unhealthy and cause complications. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet under the guidance of a Dietician or nutritionist is key to healthy weight loss without any side effects.
