Dietitian Warns Against Dangerous Crash Diets
People trying to lose weight quickly before weddings, holidays or special occasions are being warned against following extreme low-calorie diets without professional medical supervision.
Bahraini dietitian Shaima Mohamed said very low-calorie diets (VLCDs), which usually limit daily food intake to 800 calories or less, are intended only for specific medical cases and should be followed under the supervision of doctors and dietitians.
She explained that these diets often rely on specially formulated meal replacement products to provide essential nutrients and are typically prescribed for short periods to help patients lose weight before certain medical procedures.
Mohamed warned that while such diets can produce rapid weight loss, they also carry significant health risks. These include an increased chance of developing gallstones, which may require surgery, as well as fatigue, dizziness, headaches, muscle cramps, constipation, low blood sugar, sensitivity to cold and noticeable hair loss.
She also highlighted the loss of lean muscle mass as a major concern, noting that it can slow metabolism and make it harder to maintain weight loss in the long term. Poor nutritional planning may also lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies that affect overall health.
Beyond the physical effects, Mohamed said highly restrictive diets can negatively impact mental wellbeing and social life, making it difficult for people to participate in family meals and celebrations. She added that extreme dieting may encourage unhealthy eating habits, including binge eating, while commercial meal replacement programmes can also place an additional financial burden on users.
She stressed that attempting these diets without professional guidance can result in serious medical complications and, in rare cases, may even be life-threatening.
Although very low-calorie diets often deliver faster initial results than traditional weight-loss methods, Mohamed noted that much of the lost weight is commonly regained once normal eating habits resume.
"The goal of weight management should not simply be achieving a lower number on the scale, but improving health and building eating habits that can be maintained for life," she said.
Mohamed encouraged people seeking to lose weight to adopt balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and sustainable lifestyle changes, describing them as the safest and most effective approach to achieving long-term health and lasting weight management.
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