In the pursuit of a slim and healthy body, you may come across diets that can play havoc with your figure and well-being, so you should approach the topic of weight loss wisely. Restricting yourself too much or drastically reducing your diet is often a bad idea.

Doctor and health expert Ulyana Verner explains what diets to be wary of and why they can be harmful. Many of these ways to lose weight are very popular among women, but they have pitfalls.

Extremely low-calorie diets

These are diets that limit calorie intake to a very low level - 800-1000 calories per day - which is well below the normal range for many people. It may seem that rapid weight loss is the desired result, but few people consider the consequences of such diets.

According to Ulyana Verner, there are risks of nutrient deficiencies, slower metabolism, health problems and a sharp return of weight after the diet is over.

"The effectiveness and safety of low-calorie diets over the long term is rather questionable. Instead of extreme calorie restrictions, it is recommended to follow a balanced approach to nutrition, including a variety of foods, vitamins, minerals, sufficient proteins and fats, as well as physical activity," the expert said.

Diets based on a single food or a group of foods

Ensuring healthy weight loss on one or a group of individual foods is also a dubious idea. Diets that advise you to eat only a certain type of food in large quantities and limit yourself to other foods can lead to similar consequences as the previous method.

The main risks include nutrient deficiencies, feelings of restriction, which can lead to "breakdowns" and nervous tension, the risk of imbalances in the body, and loss of muscle mass. It is likely that the weight lost will return shortly after the end of the diet, the doctor warned.

Diets based on the use of superfoods

"Superfood diets are based on the idea that certain foods are high in nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that lead to better health and help keep weight under control. These foods are often referred to as superfoods because of their high nutritional value," the expert said.

These foods include vegetables, roots, seeds, nuts, leafy greens, fish, berries and dairy products, salmon, kale, blueberries, acai, chia seeds and quinoa.

Although this way of eating looks healthy, it also has its drawbacks. The doctor warned that such a diet can shift the focus away from a balanced diet. According to her, it is better to choose a variety of foods than to focus only on superfoods.

Also, this way of losing weight is considered to be expensive, and the benefits of the above foods have not been sufficiently researched. We shouldn't forget about possible "breakdowns" due to a limited diet.

"Avoid extreme diets that can be hazardous to your health. Remember that losing weight is a process that takes time, patience and perseverance. The best approach is to set realistic goals based on a balanced lifestyle and focus not only on losing weight but also on improving your overall health," Ulyana Verner emphasised.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote about the top 3 products to keep you cheerful in summer. You can deal with such days, which significantly affect your well-being, productivity and health in general, not only with the help of an air conditioner or fan.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!