Or Fad Diets—Shiny, Trendy, and Usually Useless

A Cautionary Tale of Soup, Sadness, and Why Bananas Are Not the Enemy
Let’s be real for a minute—fad diets are like that overly confident friend who swears they “know a shortcut.” They roll in uninvited, promise quick results, cost you more than expected, and disappear before your check engine light comes on.
From detox teas that taste like lawn clippings to meal plans built entirely around grapefruit, fad diets are everywhere. They shout at us from magazine covers, get recommended by influencers with suspiciously perfect abs, and even sneak into your social media feed at 11 p.m. when you’re just trying to watch dog videos.
But do they work? Spoiler alert: kind of, but also… no.

What Are Fad Diets—and Why Can’t We Quit Them?

Fad diets are the nutrition world’s version of get-rich-quick schemes. They’re flashy, sound easy, and promise massive results with minimal effort. Who wouldn’t want to drop 10 pounds in a week while eating bacon and skipping vegetables?
These diets usually latch onto one idea—cutting out all carbs, or only eating during moonlight hours—and ride it like a runaway shopping cart. They’re popular because we all crave a shortcut. After all, “balance and moderation” doesn’t sound nearly as exciting as “melt fat fast with this one weird trick.”
The truth is, we’re obsessed with fad diets because they offer hope. A sparkly, glittery hope that maybe, just maybe, this one will be different. And to be fair, some do work… for a while. I’ve tried them all. You name it, I’ve eaten, avoided, juiced, or feared it. And I’ve learned a thing or two in the process.

Breaking Down the Usual Suspects

The Ketogenic Diet (a.k.a. “Bananas are Trying to Kill You”)
Ah, keto. The diet where butter is your best friend and a slice of bread might as well be a felony. It’s high-fat, low-carb, and wildly popular among people who hate smiling at birthday cake.
Yes, keto works for some folks. Your body enters “ketosis,” which sounds like something from a sci-fi movie but means it burns fat for energy instead of carbs. Great, right? But try doing it long-term without dreaming of sandwiches. It’s restrictive, nutrient-deficient if you’re not careful, and socially awkward at dinner parties. (“Sorry, I can’t eat that, or that. Or look at that.”)

Intermittent Fasting (a.k.a. “I’m Not Hangry, You’re Hangry”)

IF has been around forever, but rebranded itself with cooler lingo. The most popular version? The 16/8 split—16 hours of Fasting, 8 hours of eating. It can simplify your schedule and help regulate hunger, which is awesome.
But let’s talk about the dark side: you will think about pancakes during hour 15. And for those prone to late-night fridge raids or anyone with a history of disordered eating, this one might be more harmful than helpful. Proceed with caution—and snacks. I will do a post or two about IF in the future because it is so popular now. It works quite well for some people.

Juice Cleanses (a.k.a. “Hug Your Cheeseburger Goodbye”)

Ah, yes, the cleanse. Nothing says “I’ve made bad life choices” quite like drinking celery and cayenne for three days straight while crying into your blender.
Juice cleanses promise to detox your body, but guess what? That’s what your liver and kidneys are for! These cleanses might lead to a quick drop on the scale, but it’s mostly water (and maybe your will to live). You’ll probably gain it back the second you chew solid food again.

The Paleo Diet (a.k.a. “Live Like a Caveman, But With Wi-Fi”)

Paleo wants you to eat like a hunter-gatherer: meat, veggies, nuts—anything a caveman could find. No grains. No dairy. Definitely no toaster pastries.
Whole foods? Great. But let’s not forget that cavemen also didn’t have pizza, coffee, or modern dental care. Cutting out entire food groups might help short-term, but unless you’re chasing a woolly mammoth for dinner, it’s probably not necessary.

Why Fad Diets Fail (And Make You Want to Punch a Cabbage)

Here’s the deal: Fad diets often work until they don’t. Why? Because most of them are as sustainable as building a house out of cardboard in a rainstorm.
They’re too restrictive.
They’re socially isolating.
They don’t teach you anything about actual nutrition.
And eventually, life happens, and you want a cookie.
Plus, there’s the emotional side. Cutting out everything you enjoy makes you feel deprived and grumpy. (Hangry + lonely = dangerous combo. Ask my spouse.)
And when you inevitably “fall off the wagon,” you feel like a failure. Cue the shame spiral, the stress eating, and the return to your old habits—but now with a slower metabolism and tighter pants.

What Actually Works: The Boring Stuff That Changes Your Life

Ready for the magic formula? Drumroll, please…
Moderation, movement, and mindset.
Yeah, I know. Not sexy. But it works.
Eat real food—lean proteins, healthy fats, complex carbs, fruits, and veggies.
Move your body regularly—walk, dance, lift, stretch.
Sleep well. Drink water. Breathe deeply.
Most importantly, be kind to yourself.
Start with small, realistic goals. Track progress, not just on the scale but also in how you feel. Celebrate wins like “I walked instead of napped” or “I didn’t eat cake for breakfast (again).”

How to Spot a Fad Diet Before It Snags You

Want to know if a diet is full of it? Look for these red flags:
Promises more than 2 pounds of weight loss per week
Cuts out entire food groups or “villainizes” one nutrient (RIP carbs)
Relies on a single product, supplement, or “magic” food
Has zero scientific backing but a lot of influencer selfies
Doesn’t teach you how to maintain results long-term
If it sounds like a miracle and costs $79.99 for a PDF and some powder, it’s probably not the path to sustainable health.

Fad Diets: Quick Fix or Long-term Solution?

Fad diets have become increasingly popular in the quest for quick weight loss solutions. These diets often promise rapid results through extreme calorie restriction, elimination of entire food groups, or reliance on specific food items. While the allure of shedding pounds quickly can be tempting, it is essential to scrutinize the underlying principles of these diets. Many fad diets are not based on sound nutritional science and can lead to short-term weight loss followed by weight regain, which ultimately contributes to a cycle of frustration for those looking to achieve lasting results.

The primary issue with fad diets is their sustainability. Most of these diets are designed for short-term success rather than long-term health. Individuals often find themselves reverting to old eating habits once the diet is over, leading to a rebound effect where lost weight is regained, and sometimes even more is added. Instead of fostering healthy lifestyle changes, fad diets can create an unhealthy relationship with food, marked by guilt, deprivation, and binge eating. This cycle not only affects physical health but can also have detrimental effects on mental well-being.

Another significant concern with fad diets is the potential for nutritional deficiencies. Many of these diets significantly restrict calorie intake or eliminate entire food groups, depriving the body of essential nutrients. For example, diets that cut out carbohydrates may lead to insufficient fiber intake, affecting digestive health. Similarly, diets that eliminate fats can hinder the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Such deficiencies can lead to various health issues, including fatigue, a weakened immune response, and long-term complications that may undermine overall well-being.

The Bottom Line (Because Pants Shouldn’t Be Tight Forever)

Fad diets are tempting. They whisper sweet nothings like “Quick results!” and “No exercise needed!” But at the end of the day, they don’t help you build a lifestyle—you know, the thing you have to live in after the diet ends.
Want real change? Go for the boring stuff that works. Balanced meals. Joyful movement. Sleep. Hydration. Patience. (Yes, patience—ugh.)
Will it take longer? Maybe. But you’ll keep your sanity, social life, and love of bread intact. And that, my friend, is a victory worth savoring—one bite at a time.

Need help spotting a fad in the wild? Just ask: “Would I still be able to do this in five years without becoming a social hermit or developing a hatred of carrots?” If the answer is no, toss it in the bin next to that expired bottle of “slim tea.”
Because you deserve better than a crash diet and a side of regret, you deserve something tangible—and you’ve got this.