Let’s face it, many of us are looking for the quick fix to lose weight, and we will try all kinds of fad diets to achieve this. This article discusses 9 weird, but potentially dangerous diets that have made their way into the Fad Diet Hall of Fame. What fad diet have you tried? Can I interest you with the first one on the list?
1. Tapeworm Diet
Not for the squeamish, this fad has reportedly been around since the dawn of the 20th century. Brave souls would swallow tapeworm cyst pills, so tapeworms would grow and mature inside their intestines, eating all food products until the dieter’s goal weight is reached. Said tapeworm is then excreted with the aid of an anti-parasite pill. Mind you, tapeworms can get pretty damn huge — as long as 30 feet — and can cause a whole mess of health issues, like diarrhea, vomiting, headaches and even epilepsy. Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, says this is in no way a viable weight-loss option. “This is an incredibly dangerous and unhealthy weight-loss option that could potentially be deadly,” says Palinkski-Wade. “Not only would this lead to serious nutrient deficiencies that can have lifelong complications, but you would regain the weight back as soon as the parasite is killed.”
2. Hollywood Diet
Jamie and Larry, creators of the Hollywood Diet, have long claimed their products and regimens will help you miraculously lose weight while you’re treated, as their website promises, “like a star.” Their small selection of shakes and cookies for sale, on which you are to subside for 24 hours or more, will reportedly lead to a weight loss of two to nine pounds. Extreme low-calorie diets like this can be dangerous, especially when followed for more than a couple of days, warns Los Angeles-based nutritionist Alyse Levine M.S., RD. “This diet puts your body into starvation mode, and most of the weight loss you experience in the first few days will be water weight,” says Levine. Added potential side effects may include diarrhea, fatigue, constipation and nausea.
