The prospect of quick weight loss by following a crash diet is tempting and many falls for it due to its promise of an instant result. Crash dieting is basically a very low-calorie diet that helps you lose weight in a short period of time. The diet can play havoc with your metabolism and cause nutritional deficiencies. 

Crash diet

Crash dieting also known as "weight cycling", is the pattern of losing weight, regaining it and then dieting again. The person is usually successful in the beginning to lose weight and see the results but fails in maintaining it in the long term. The lost kilos come back again and again and the diet begins.

Harmful effects of crash diet –

Causes nutritional deficiency - The purpose of the diet is not holistic health but weight loss. The lack of important nutrients can decrease your energy, immunity, and can cause extreme fatigue.

Results in muscle loss - Extreme calorie restriction may cause your body to break down muscle for the needed energy and fuel to run your body. Because fat is regained more easily than muscle after weight loss, this can lead to more loss of muscle over time.

Metabolism decreases - Muscle mass is also responsible for metabolism. Thus, when you lose muscle mass you burn fewer calories. Extreme diets can put you in starvation mode and your metabolism will slow down to conserve energy and your body will hang on to more fat. This later becomes the reason for weight gain.

Increases your appetite - During dieting, fat loss leads to decreased levels of the hormone leptin, which normally helps you feel full. This leads to increased appetite as the body tries to resupply depleted energy stores. At last, you end up eating more than your calorie requirements. 

It can be annoying - The up-down on the scale will be extremely frustrating and sometimes you'll end up losing your motivation also. Most of the diets will tell you to avoid so many things that you'll end up with a few options.