Dieting and the Boomerang Effect
Diets that restrict you unnecessarily can be harmful to your health and might even lead you to gain weight in the long run.
The human body is an extraordinarily intelligent machine. When you cut back on your energy intake (calories) too much, the body perceives this restriction as a threat. As a defence mechanism, your body protects its reserves. The stricter the diet, the more your body will go into famine mode in order to protect itself. Thus, your body slows down. It then becomes easier to gain weight over time.
Also, don't skip meals. Every time you do, your brain tells your body to slow its metabolism down to protect its energy reserves.
It is not necessary to starve yourself to lose or maintain weight. On the contrary, learning to make better food choices and being more active is the answer.
Weight loss diets that are too restrictive can be harmful to your health and well-being. In general, consuming less than 1800 calories a day will not provide you with enough essential nutrients to meet all of your needs.
For example, cutting out milk products can deprive your bones of the precious calcium and vitamin D necessary for their strength. Eating too few grain products, especially whole-grain products, could mean less fibre and other nutrients that help digestion. There are many other examples as well!
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