Expert's warning over dieting mistakes and fads ahead…

Expert's warning over dieting mistakes and fads ahead of New Year

Many people may have the New Year resolution of trying to lose a bit of weight.

But experts have warned of the dangers of making some common dieting mistakes and following fads ahead of January as some search for a quick fix to lose inches around their waist.

A fad diet is a diet that becomes popular for a short time and although it may result in short-term goals, it can cause complications to your health. Some fad diets can result in dehydration and poor eating habits.

According to The Independent, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) said members of the public should be “incredibly critical” of any diet advice that claims to be a quick-fix weight loss solution, because they could do more harm than good.

BDA spokesperson Marcela Fiuz said that focusing on weight loss while making New Year’s resolutions can “often lead to yoyo dieting or weight cycling [losing weight then regaining it over and over], which can be detrimental to health”. She added: “New Year’s resolution diets can also be triggering for those with eating disorders and can lead to disordered eating."

Kerri Ferraioli, Nutritionist at food sensitivity specialists YorkTest agreed, as she said: "Fad diets can cause dehydration and nutrient deficiencies, and lead people to develop yo-yo patterns where they continuously gain and lose weight. Unless you consult a doctor, make sure that you follow a balanced, intuitive diet that involves simply eating when you’re hungry, and stopping when you’re full."

She added: "We’re more exposed to our peers and influencers’ eating habits than ever before, and social media only really focuses on the benefits of the diets, not any of the drawbacks. You might be more likely to follow the food habits of those that you see on social, which is reflected by TikTok’s new stance to crack down on content that promotes or glorifies eating disorders by connecting users to helplines when they search for hashtags that dangerously promote weight loss."

The NHS states that eating a healthy, balanced diet is an "important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best". This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.