The world of health and dieting is a minefield for the unaware. Everywhere you go there is a new fad diet being promoted that is guaranteed to help you lose weight quickly and easily.

However, losing weight is not that simple, and many of these diets can be dangerous and even life-threatening. The British Dietetics Association has compiled a list of the top 30 most dangerous diets that you should avoid at all costs. We will examine these diets, how they work, and the risks they pose.

The Top 30 Dangerous Diets according to the British Dietetics Association

1. The Alkaline Diet

The Alkaline Diet is based on the idea that eating alkaline foods can help your body maintain a healthy pH level. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim, and the diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

2. The Blood Type Diet

The Blood Type Diet claims that your blood type determines the types of foods you should eat. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims, and the diet can cause nutritional deficiencies.

3. The Cabbage Soup Diet

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a very low calorie, high fiber diet that involves eating nothing but cabbage soup for 7 days. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies, and the weight loss is only temporary.

4. The Dukan Diet

The Dukan Diet is a high protein, low carb diet that can lead to nutritional deficiencies and kidney problems. It is also difficult to follow long-term.

5. The Fruitarian Diet

The Fruitarian Diet involves eating only fruits, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based foods. This diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

6. The Grapefruit Diet

The Grapefruit Diet involves eating grapefruit with every meal and limiting calories. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

7. The HCG Diet

The HCG Diet involves taking a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and limiting calories to 500 per day. This diet can cause nutrient deficiencies and has not been proven to work.

8. The Ketogenic Diet

The Ketogenic Diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that can lead to nutritional deficiencies and kidney problems. It is also difficult to follow long-term.

9. The Master Cleanse Diet

The Master Cleanse Diet involves drinking a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for 7-10 days. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

10. The Paleo Diet

The Paleo Diet involves eating only foods that were available to our ancestors during the Paleolithic era. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

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11. The Raw Food Diet

The Raw Food Diet involves eating foods that have not been cooked or processed. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

12. The Sleeping Beauty Diet

The Sleeping Beauty Diet involves taking sedatives to sleep for extended periods to avoid eating. This diet can be dangerous and lead to addiction.

13. The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a high-protein, low-carb diet that can lead to nutritional deficiencies and kidney problems.

14. The Tapeworm Diet

The Tapeworm Diet involves ingesting tapeworms to lose weight. This diet is extremely dangerous and can lead to infections and even death.

15. The Three-Day Diet

The Three-Day Diet is a very low calorie diet that involves eating a specific combination of foods for 3 days. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

Related Article The Riskiest Diets as Identified by the British Dietetics Association

16. The Vegan Diet

The Vegan Diet involves eating only plant-based foods. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

17. The Werewolf Diet

The Werewolf Diet involves fasting during the full moon and consuming only water and green juice. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

18. The Zone Diet

The Zone Diet is a high-protein, low-carb diet that can lead to nutritional deficiencies and kidney problems.

19. The Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet is a high-protein, low-carb diet that can lead to nutritional deficiencies and kidney problems.

20. The Baby Food Diet

The Baby Food Diet involves eating only baby food. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

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21. The Breatharian Diet

The Breatharian Diet involves giving up food and water and relying on sunlight and air for sustenance. This diet is extremely dangerous and can lead to death.

22. The Cigarette Diet

The Cigarette Diet involves smoking cigarettes to suppress hunger. This diet is extremely dangerous and can lead to addiction and even death.

23. The Gerson Therapy

The Gerson Therapy involves drinking a lot of juice and eating a plant-based diet to detoxify the body. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, and the diet can cause nutritional deficiencies.

24. The Gluten-Free Diet

The Gluten-Free Diet involves avoiding foods that contain gluten. However, this diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies and is not necessary for people without celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

25. The Hallelujah Diet

The Hallelujah Diet involves eating only raw fruits, vegetables, and grains. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

26. The Lemonade Diet

The Lemonade Diet involves drinking a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for 10 days. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

27. The Military Diet

The Military Diet is a very low calorie diet that involves eating a specific combination of foods for 3 days. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

28. The Scarsdale Diet

The Scarsdale Diet is a very low calorie diet that involves eating a specific combination of foods for 2 weeks. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

29. The Slimming Pills Diet

The Slimming Pills Diet involves taking slimming pills to suppress appetite. This diet can be dangerous and lead to addiction and even death.

30. The Vinegar Diet

The Vinegar Diet involves drinking apple cider vinegar with every meal. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and is not sustainable long-term.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that fad diets come and go, but the risks they pose can last a lifetime. The best way to lose weight is through a balanced diet and regular exercise.

If you are considering a new diet, consult your doctor or a registered dietitian first to ensure that the diet is safe and effective for you.