Healthy weight loss can be achieved with a combination of regular exercise, a calorie deficit, and plenty of sleep and water. But while the formula sounds simple, it can feel overwhelming in the moment, which is why many people turn to fad diets to help them reach their weight loss goals. While there are diets that do tout notable health benefits and create a healthy lifestyle, there are just as many diets that should be avoided and can do more harm than good to the body as a whole. However, there’s one diet that dietitians warn to steer clear of as it can slowly and steadily decrease your metabolism, making it more difficult to lose weight.
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The 1,200 calorie diet is the most damaging to your body and its metabolism, according to registered dietitian Emily Danckers. A calorie deficit is one of the key factors for losing weight, and 1,200 calories is generally the number suggested to kickstart your loss. However, Danckers stresses that calorie intake is a highly specific number that varies from person to person, and depending on your age, sex, activity and medical history, 1,200 calories could very well be too few.
Although you may want to slash your calories to see quick results, this is not always the best option for sustained weight loss. Danckers says, “When it comes to weight loss that lasts, fewer calories is not always better. If you are a chronic dieter and stick to 1200 calories per day when a more sustainable number for you would be closer to 1500, this can greatly slow down your metabolism.”
Your body requires a certain amount of energy to sustain itself throughout the day, and this energy is gathered from food. Without the proper energy, your body will lower its metabolism to compensate. “The body adjusts to what you give it, and if you’re underfueling every day then it gets used to this and slows down your metabolism. If you’re not sure what your ideal calorie range should be for your goals, consult a dietitian.”
Losing weight is difficult as it is, but fad dieting and rapid cutting of calories only sets you up for failure in the long run as your body will crave the foods you’re depriving it of. Instead of slashing your calories and hoping for results, consult with a health specialist to determine how much you should actually be eating during the day. Undernourishing your body can have just as many negative effects as overfeeding, so it’s important to remember that there is no catchall number of calories that will work for everybody and their weight loss journey.
