The nutritionist explained the lack of effect when losing weight "on salads"

A sharp reduction in calories and a switch to salads alone lead to the opposite effect — the body begins to store fat, perceiving such food as a signal of hunger. Why strict diets don't help you lose weight in the long term On August 16, Tatiana Meshcheryakova, a nutritionist at the Level Kitchen service, nutritionist, and expert in the field of healthy nutrition, told Izvestia.

"With a sharp reduction in calories, the body switches to energy-saving mode, slowing down the metabolism. Instead of losing weight, a person can start gaining weight even from a minimum amount of food," the nutritionist notes.

The expert emphasizes that limiting the diet to vegetables only leads to a deficiency of protein, vitamins and trace elements. The lack of nutrients affects your health, energy level, and emotional state. In addition, when there is a lack of protein, the body begins to use muscle tissue, which further slows down the metabolism.

Meshcheryakova warns about the "yo-yo effect" — after returning to a regular diet, weight is not only restored, but often exceeds baseline values. In her opinion, instead of short-term diets, it is worth changing the lifestyle in general.

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According to her, the benefits will be greater if you balance the diet, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meat and fish, monitor portion size and reduce consumption of sweets and fast food. However, you should eat regularly — every three to four hours - and maintain a water balance.

The nutritionist recommends combining proper nutrition with physical activity: aerobic exercise three times a week and strength training twice a week. It's also important to manage stress, get enough sleep, and surround yourself with supportive people.

"No diet solves the weight problem forever. Only an integrated approach and lifestyle changes produce sustainable results," sums up Meshcheryakova.

On August 10, Melissa Mroz-Planells, a nutritionist and expert at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told how late meals can affect metabolism and contribute to weight gain. According to her, if we eat late at night, our digestive system doesn't work as efficiently as it does during the day, and this can lead to fat accumulation and even cause weight problems in the long run.

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