Top 5 worst diets of all time

Worst diets for weight loss

Paleo diet

The Paleo diet has gained popularity among various other diet plans. Its proponents promise that by eating like our caveman ancestors, we will be healthier in the long term.

However, there is no solid scientific evidence to back claims that the paleo diet offers significant health benefits.

What’s allowed:

• Meat
• Eggs
• Poultry
• Fish
• Fruits
• Vegetables (excluding tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants)
• Nuts
• Seeds

What’s forbidden:

• Grains and legumes
• Dairy (and dairy products)
• Refined/added sugars
• Large amounts of omega-6, refined, or hydrogenated vegetable oils
• Nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants
• Added salt
• Coffee and alcohol

The problem with the Paleo diet is that it excludes many beneficial nutrients, such as dairy products, grains, and legumes.

Followers of the paleo diet blame agriculture and carbohydrates for worsening health and obesity, advising to avoid them.

A 2021 study highlighted what many of us already knew: low physical activity, partly due to sedentary work, is linked to weight gain.

Keto diet

Similar to the Paleo diet, the ketogenic (keto) diet restricts carbohydrates.

A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine found that:

• People on the keto diet experienced a decrease in gut microbiome diversity and an increase in overall cholesterol levels;
• Those who followed a low-sugar diet showed less impact on the microbiome and a reduction in "bad" cholesterol levels.

The keto diet is often associated with effective weight loss and improved blood sugar levels due to its high fat intake and low carbohydrate consumption. However, experts warn that this eating plan could have unpredictable long-term consequences for heart and gut health.

In addition, the keto diet poses a risk due to its low fiber content. Doctors argue that it is harmful not only to the heart but also to the gut. Firstly, soluble fiber helps lower “bad” cholesterol. Secondly, reducing fiber harms the gut microbiome by decreasing its diversity, which can lead to digestive issues and even skin problems.

Cookie diet

Years ago, an American doctor introduced the cookie diet, which became one of the most trendy diets of all time.

The concept was simple: you buy his cookies, which are packed with protein and fiber, and consume them as your primary food source in the early stages of the diet. However, this makes little sense, and it’s far better to stick to a balanced diet on your own.

Apple cider vinegar diet

The apple cider vinegar diet involves consuming 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of apple cider vinegar mixed with water daily to promote weight loss. The dose should be spread over the day, possibly taken before meals.

But does it work? Absolutely not. A comprehensive review of the diet’s weight-loss claims found nothing substantial to report. Proponents also suggest that the diet is good for overall health, but there's no evidence to support this claim either.

It’s just another fad diet to steer clear of.

Air diet

This French diet, also known as the "virtual eating" diet, involved people sitting down and pretending to eat the food they wanted. They imagined smelling, chewing, and convincing themselves they had eaten.

But in reality, they were only consuming salty soup. As a result, they deprived themselves of essential nutrients and, in the process, were wrecking their health.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.