Fast Diets That Really Work

Weight loss is on everyone's mind these days, either to reduce obesity or to have size zero. When thinking of weight loss, you should note that there is no substitute for diet and exercise, and, if you are thinking of losing weight fast and easy, you need to follow a strict diet. But, that does not mean you need to starve yourself all day long. There are several diet plans that advocate weight loss and are made using scientific methods, putting a lot of thought. These may or may not be called fad diets, but, it is sure that they are effective. Let us take a look at them in detail.

Fad Diets that Work

The following are some crash diets that should be followed only for a short span of time. They help in quick weight loss.

Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet was formed by Dr. Robert Atkins which aims at weight loss by reducing the intake of carbohydrates. Hence, it is termed as a low carb diet plan. According to the theory, overweight people tend to eat more carbohydrates which indirectly prevent the burning of fat in the body. Therefore, in order to lose weight and burn fat, one should have a high protein, high fat, but, low carbohydrate diet. The Atkins diet plan is divided into 4 phases: induction phase, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance phase and lifetime phase. In the induction phase, the carbohydrate intake should be less than 20 grams/day. You can eat vegetables and little amounts of fish and poultry. In the ongoing weight loss phase, the intake of carbohydrates is slightly increased with a slight increase in the amount of vegetables. In the next phase, the intake of carbohydrate is further increased by 10 grams. The last phase is to make people get used to the diet plan and inculcate the habit of having healthy foods which can be maintained for a lifetime.

Zone Diet
According to this diet plan, a balanced ratio of carbohydrates, proteins and fats can help in weight loss. When following this diet plan, you should include 30% protein, 30% fat, and 40% carbohydrates. You should include some protein in the diet every day like small chicken breast or fish, favorable carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, etc. and fats like egg whites, low-fat cheese, low-fat milk, etc. Interestingly, desserts are also allowed in this diet.

Cabbage Soup Diet
The cabbage soup diet is one that can be termed as a fad diet. The aim of this diet is weight loss by having only low-calorie cabbage soup for 7 days at a stretch. It should be noted that this is a short-term diet, not be exceeded for more than 7 days. For all 7 days, you should only have cabbage soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cabbage soup can be made in different varieties, using different spices, etc. According to the diet, you can drink as much cabbage soup as you want, but, do not eat anything else. You also need to take a multivitamin tablet everyday.

Apart from the above mentioned ones, the south beach diet, glycemic index diet and diabetic diet are other fast diets that really work. Although these diets are effective, they come with their share of side effects, which may or may not be experienced by some people. Headache, dizziness, stomach pain, diarrhea, etc. are some of the common side effects experienced by people following crash diets. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor before going for any low-calorie or weight loss diet.

If taken under proper supervision, these diet can really be effective. These diets are meant only for short-term use. Lastly, as a concluding note, one should remember that having a balanced diet and regular exercise can help in maintaining a healthy weight for a lifetime. It is recommended to consult a doctor before making drastic changes in your daily diet. Take care!