10 Fad Diets

Fad diets are marketed to those seeking short-term weight-loss solutions. They often rely on severe, unhealthy caloric restrictions or scientifically unsubstantiated claims, according to Mizpah Matus and Mike Howard of Every Diet. Because little or no behavioral or lifestyle change is required of dieters, fad diets are typically not recommended by health care professionals or nutrition experts. Consult a physician before beginning any diet.

Cabbage Soup Diet

• The cabbage soup diet allows followers to eat as much cabbage soup as they'd like for seven days. Each day of the week has a specific food group dieters may eat in addition to cabbage soup. For example, dieters can eat fruits the first day, vegetables the second, etc. Replacing unhealthy foods with a cruciferous vegetable can result in short-term weight loss.

Açaí Berry Diet

• The açaí berry became famous after it was promoted on the Oprah Winfrey show. The açaí berry contains antioxidants that, according to the National Cancer Institute, may control free radicals believed to cause cancer. The açaí berry diet involves simply adding açaí berries or juice to your diet. Other than that, it does not require any specific dietary regimen or exercise program.

Atkins Diet

• The Atkins diet has been around since the 1970s, but it became popular again in the early 21st century. Centered around limiting carbohydrate intake, the Atkins diet features 4 phases. The initial phase restricts carbohydrates for 2 weeks. The second phase introduces fibrous vegetables until dieters reach their goal weight and begin the last two, weight-maintenance phases. Though many dieters find the Atkins program effective, critics worry that the long-term effects of a high-fat diet may outweigh the short-term success.

HCG Diet

• The HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) diet relies on the injection or oral ingestion of the HCG hormone, along with severe caloric restriction, to lose weight very quickly. Dieters can expect high fat burn as HCG reputedly prevents the body from burning muscle to compensate for the lack of food energy. The long-term effects of HCG ingestion are not understood, and the HCG diet is not approved by the FDA.

Negative Calorie Diet

• The negative calorie diet encourages the consumption of low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery and zucchini. More calories are burned during digestion than are contained in the food itself, thus having a net negative caloric effect. However, since a healthy diet comprises other, positive-calorie foods, exercise is likely required to realize any weight loss.

3-Day Diet

• The 3-Day diet is used for short-term weight loss. Relying on precise portion control and specific menu options, dieters lose weight through caloric restriction and water loss. It is not designed to be a long-term fix and usually isn't endorsed by health care professionals or nutrition experts.

Zone Diet

• The Zone diet requires dieters to eat meals that are 40 percent carbohydrate, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat. Developed by Dr. Barry Sears, this diet is touted as a permanent weight loss solution. Though exercise is not a necessary component, critics warn that the recommended calorie counts may be too low for active dieters.

South Beach Diet

• The South Beach Diet restricts the intake of certain carbohydrates and stresses a well-rounded diet. Like Atkins, the South Beach diet features an introductory low-carbohydrate phase, followed by maintenance phases. More than a quick fix, the South Beach diet requires a longer commitment than other fad diets, but its popularity remains unsteady.

Grapefruit Diet

• The grapefruit diet involves incorporating grapefruit into each meal, and is typically followed for up to three weeks. The grapefruit diet prohibits dieters from snacking between meals and requires dieters to eat small portions, which may include high-fat foods like bacon. Grapefruit itself is a healthy, high-fiber fruit, but health care professionals are unlikely to recommend this short-term solution.

Beverly Hills Diet

• The Beverly Hills diet utilizes extreme caloric restriction and peculiar menu plans to lose weight fast. Specific fruits and vegetables, like prunes, strawberries and potatoes, are consumed in specific combinations and almost without restriction. Many critics believe this diet lacks certain essential vitamins and minerals.