Fads for losing weight may seem like a good idea, but experts say they can do more harm than good. A lot of current ways to lose weight, such juice cleanses, diet beverages, and protein bars, take away important nutrients, raise blood sugar, or mess your metabolism.
Dr. Alessia Roehnelt, an endocrinologist who focuses on hormone and metabolism health and hosts The Wellness Protocol Podcast, talked about three fad diets she would never advocate for losing weight. She talked about how bad they are for you and offered long-lasting alternatives in an Instagram video.
- Juice Cleanses Dr. Roehnelt says that juice-based cleanses are at the top of the list of diets she would never suggest. “Juice is basically taking the fiber out of the fruit and leaving you with just the sugar.” “They usually raise blood sugar levels and make you feel hungry,” she said. Instead, she suggests eating entire fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, along with enough protein and water, to reset your body in a healthier way.
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- Drinks for Diet Dr. Roehnelt said to stay away from diet sodas and drinks with fake sugar in them. “Most diet sodas and other diet drinks are full of fake sugars. Those are not good for your stomach. They can make you want things. They might even raise insulin levels. She says to switch them out for sparkling water, lemon water, or electrolyte drinks that don’t include any artificial sweeteners.
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- Bars of protein She also strongly recommends against protein bars that are sold as meal alternatives. “They’re essentially candy bars with a lot of extra stuff. They have a lot of carbs, low-quality protein, and sometimes fake sweeteners and sugar alcohols. They usually merely make you feel full and then crash later.” Instead, she suggests eating complete meals that are high in healthy fats or protein, like hard-boiled eggs or a handful of nuts. “You don’t need tricks. You need actual food that helps your hormones and metabolism stay healthy.
- This material is only for informational purposes and should not be used instead of professional medical advice.