TUMMYTOX blogs.

The hidden costs of dieting: 5 reasons why quick-fix diets are bad for your mental health

Isn’t it just crazy how every time you open Instagram or TikTok, there’s a fresh fad diet waving at you, promising to help you drop 10 kg faster than you can actually say “10 kg”? 

Shortcuts are great when you need to be at work in 10 minutes and there’s a traffic jam in front of you. But when it comes to losing weight, they can be pretty harmful.  

Have you ever thought about how all these trendy diets for quick weight loss might affect your mental health? 

the dark side of diets for quick weight loss

The dark side of diets for quick weight loss

Low-carb diet, keto diet, grapefruit diet… We could go on. All these diets promise impossibly fast results. But while they may work for some in the short term, they often lack long-term sustainability and may have a negative effect on your health. 

The main issue is that they’re super restrictive. They cut whole food groups, leaving you deprived of essential nutrients. This can severely harm your physical health. 

And with all the restrictions, you may even struggle mentally. Here’s why! 

1. You may start obsessing over food 

Have you ever noticed how food is the only thing on your mind every time you follow any fast weight loss plan or restrictive diet? You keep thinking about what you can or cannot eat. Sadly, these thoughts don’t always disappear once you’ve stopped dieting. 

There’s a chance you’ve conditioned yourself into seeing food as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. And these mental labels tend to stick around for a looong time and may even lead you to develop patterns of disordered eating. 

2. You may experience body image issues 

Your worth and purpose in life should never be reduced to a number on the scale or the size of your jeans. But fad diets for quick weight loss can lead you to believe that. 

You may start feeling like a failure when you don’t lose weight or your progress isn’t the same as other people. This can have lasting consequences on your body image, self-worth, and mental health. 

3. You may have mood swings 

Here’s the thing – when you restrict yourself from whole food groups, you’re also restricting your brain from the essential nutrients. Your energy levels will be the first to drop, and your mood will change too. 

Little things like your phone having a low battery can irritate you and make you feel emotional. You can even become fully indifferent to situations that don’t involve the topic of weight loss.

4. You may isolate yourself 

Ever cancelled plans with friends or skipped family gatherings because there wouldn’t be anything you were allowed to eat according to your fast weight loss plan?  

This may cause you to isolate from your friends and family which can have a negative impact on your mental well-being. It can even lead to serious conditions like anxiety and depression in the long run. 

5. You may feel guilty ALL the time 

You know when you feel bad about eating the whole chocolate bar when you promised yourself you’d only take a piece. Or when you commit to cutting all sugar, but then have a slice of your coworker’s birthday cake. 

The guilt that you didn’t stick to your diet consumes your mind. You may even starve yourself for the rest of the day. This emotion is not a healthy one for your mental health. You should never feel guilty for eating delicious food! 

So, what can you do instead? 

If you commit to improving your appearance while leaving your mental health behind, you often end up feeling worse in the long run. But there is a way to achieve a slimmer figure without those fad diets that are hurting you mentally. 

How? 

First and foremost, like for any long-term success, you need to be patient and consistent. Give your body the time it needs to transform and keep those expectations realistic. It’s simply not healthy to drop 3 sizes in 2 weeks. 

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. No two bodies are the same, so tune into what YOUR body and mind need. Any change should come from a place of self-love first. 

Small changes to make for sustainable slimming 

Instead of straining your body and mind with super restrictive diets, opt for long-term lifestyle changes. Focus on a more balanced diet and try to move your body regularly. It might sound like a small change, but it works much better than any extreme diet. 

It’s also important to optimise your metabolism and kickstart fat burning while keeping those cravings in check. The Transformation Bundle fits perfectly into your healthier way of slimming down. It will provide that extra push, harmonising beautifully with the healthy changes you’re making in your life. 

At TummyTox we understand that a happy life comes from celebrating self-love. When you treat yourself like a queen, that’s when the magic of feeling good and confident happens. It all starts with you, lovely!



Products for you

BEAUTY
-77%
Special price £5.99 Regular price £25.99
View product
Stress relief
-36%
Special price £17.99 Regular price £27.99 As low as £17.90
View product