Research Says Crash Diets Work
June 22nd, 2009
New research from Tufts University in Massachusetts says crash diets can actually work better than slow weight loss. Professor of nutrition and psychiatry at Tufts, Susan Roberts, says the latest research from her lab shows “sensible, healthy crash diets actually do as well for long-term success as slow diets and, for some people, can actually work better.”
But Roberts distinguishes between good and bad crash diets. The one she advocates goes further than the usual 1,500 calories a day typically advised for women to lose half a kilo per week, but is not extreme, never dipping below 1,200 calories for women (or 1,800 for men). And she says people who get tempted easily may be better candidates for fast, strict diets than gentle weight loss.
Professor Roberts dismisses extreme crash diets which promise huge losses, as well as fasting, as “snake oil,” but says to lose as much as 5kg in eight weeks on 1,200 calories a day, plus 30 minutes’ daily exercise, is safe, provided the diet is balanced, with plenty of low-GI, high-protein foods to keep you full. And the good thing is the weight loss will last if you “change what you eat permanently” to generally healthy habits.
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