Every year as summer gets underway, social media becomes saturated with the concept of getting “summer body ready”
The pressure to shed weight before hitting the beach in summer becomes an obsession for some, as influencers flood our feeds with calorie deficits and detox diets aimed at quick weight loss.
While these summer diets are an age-old concept, they can cause more harm than good, and nutritionists are warning about their dangers even as the summer comes to a close.
What most people don’t know is that these trends can actually cause health issues throughout the rest of the year.
Summer diets are often marketed as a quick solution to achieving a beach-ready body (whatever that actually means?).
However, they tend to promote unhealthy ways of doing it that fail to deliver healthy results.
Nutritionists at Second Nature have highlighted several reasons why these diets are not be as beneficial as they’re marketed to be.
Unhealthy Weight Loss
The extreme measures promoted by summer diets, such as severe calorie deficits and the elimination of essential food groups, can create an unhealthy relationship with food.
Instead of focusing on a balanced diet, these fads push people toward obsessive calorie counting and restrictive eating, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and disordered eating patterns.
A balanced diet is vital for maintaining overall health, so when entire food groups are removed, it can result in negative health effects like headaches, fatigue, and a weakened immune system.
The psychological toll is also reportedly significant, as people may develop anxiety around food and eating, making it difficult to enjoy meals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Harmful Physical Side Effects
It is advised that men and women need around 2,500 and 2,000 calories per day, respectively, to maintain their health.
Many summer diets, however, drastically reduce this number, leading to concerning side effects like dizziness, fatigue, and digestive issues.
These physical symptoms can disrupt your daily life, and affect everything from exercise routines to social life.
Additionally, severe calorie restrictions can result in brain fog, which means difficulty concentrating and decreased mental clarity.
This not only impacts productivity but can also lead to burnout, especially when it’s combined with the stress of trying to meet unrealistic body image standards.
At any time of the year, it is important to choose a balanced diet that supports health
Robbie Puddick, a registered nutritionist at Second Nature, said: ”Over the past few years, summer diets have transformed into a social media trend. When people see these influencers doing detoxes and extreme calorie deficits over the summer, it’s vital to be mindful of the drawbacks of these quick-fix diets.”
Meanwhile, Dr Bauraitė, of the Nordbariatric Clinic in Lithuania told The Sun previously that the concern with fast weight loss is that it usually takes extraordinary efforts in diet and exercise.
She explained: “A multitude of negative effects — including headaches, nausea, and dizziness — can arise from losing weight too rapidly, especially when starvation techniques are used.
“One of the main risks is dehydration. Ensuring adequate fluid intake is crucial.
“Sweating becomes more intense in the summer, which is one of the ways in which the body loses fluids.
“Failure to meet nutrient requirements can also expose the patient to malnutrition or the risk of it.
“At any time of the year, it is important to choose a balanced diet that supports health,” she said.
Men and women shouldn’t feel pressured to fit a specific ‘summer look’, as true beauty is about embracing who you are all year round.
Prioritising health and well-being over appearance is the best way to shine just the way you are.
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