Buzz
No quick-fix diet can replace the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle—nutritious food, staying hydrated, and regular exercise are key to maintaining good health. However, it seems like a new diet craze emerges every day, with many people jumping on the bandwagon without second-guessing. Some of these diets are effective, others are ineffective, and some are so outlandish and bizarre that we just have to share them with you.
10. The Urine Diet
The urine diet is an outlandish weight loss regimen that restricts your calorie intake to just 500 calories per day while requiring you to inject yourself with the urine of pregnant women. This diet allegedly allows you to shed up to 0.5 kilograms (1 lb) per day. Curiously, the weight loss is credited to the urine injections, not the drastic calorie limitation.
The urine of pregnant women contains a unique hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), produced by the placenta. When injected into a non-pregnant person, it can deceive the brain into thinking the body is pregnant, which some believe speeds up metabolism. Many people who have followed the urine diet are thrilled with their results, crediting their weight loss solely to the urine injections. They firmly believe these shots kept them from feeling hungry during their dieting phase.
Skeptics, however, argue that neither the urine nor the hCG hormone play any role in weight loss. They attribute the weight loss solely to the restrictive 500-calorie diet, warning about the potential dangers of the urine diet. For a more affordable and safer weight loss method (as the urine costs between $300 and $565 for a six-week supply), they suggest cutting calories (which is already necessary in this diet) and focusing on exercise.
9. The Dukan Diet
The Dukan Diet was developed in 2000 by Pierre Dukan, a French doctor and nutritionist. It is based on the supposed diet of early humans, who survived by hunting and gathering. Followers of this diet are limited to eating only 100 approved foods—28 plant-based and 72 animal-based. By strictly following this plan, it is claimed that you can lose up to 5 kilograms (10 pounds) per week, although the diet also recommends exercise and proper hydration, which are generally beneficial for health.
The Dukan Diet consists of four phases. The first phase, called the 'attack phase,' involves consuming only lean proteins (such as beef, eggs, and fish), in unlimited amounts. During this phase, you must also consume 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran to curb hunger and drink at least six cups of water daily. This phase lasts up to 10 days. The second phase, known as the 'cruise phase,' can last several months. It introduces non-starchy vegetables (such as spinach and lettuce) into the diet, along with an additional half tablespoon of oat bran.
In the third phase, also known as the 'consolidation phase,' you can start adding a variety of specific foods to your meals. This includes one piece of fruit and a serving of hard cheese. A few starchy foods can be eaten occasionally, and you're allowed one or two indulgent 'celebration' meals each week. Finally, during the fourth and final stage, the 'stabilization phase,' you're free to enjoy any food you like, except for one day a week when you must stick to the rules of the 'attack phase.' Additionally, it’s advised to consume three tablespoons of oat bran daily and walk for at least 20 minutes.
8. The Prayer Diet
The Prayer Diet is designed to aid weight loss through prayer and regular communication with God. Like any other process, consistency is crucial, and the best outcomes come from daily prayer sessions, ideally in the morning. This practice helps you stay focused and guides you in making necessary adjustments to your diet and exercise routines. If you need help with prayers, the Internet is full of examples. Here’s one inspiring prayer: “Guide me Lord, as I strive to lose weight. You are my light and my anchor, and with You I know all things are possible.”
This diet isn’t just for Christians. People from various religious traditions can adopt it by praying to their Creator. Atheists and non-believers are encouraged to pray to their Higher Power, Higher Self, or Nature.
Simply praying isn’t enough to shed excess weight. No matter how much you pray, if you spend all day on the couch, the pounds won’t magically disappear—unless there’s a true divine intervention. Even the creator of the Prayer Diet acknowledges that prayer is only the first step on the weight loss journey. Other essential components include learning about nutrition, eating healthily in smaller portions, and exercising regularly. So, daily prayer might not be as necessary as it seems.
7. The Cotton Ball Diet
The dangerously risky cotton ball diet involves soaking cotton balls in fruit juice, smoothies, or lemonade and swallowing them whole. The cotton balls supposedly create a feeling of fullness, reducing the urge to overeat regular foods. This diet is primarily popular among young teenagers, with instructional videos on how to perform it being shared on YouTube.
The diet is thought to have been brought to public attention by Eddie Murphy’s daughter, Bria Murphy, who reportedly saw models trying to stay thin by consuming cotton balls soaked in juice.
The cotton ball diet poses serious health risks, including malnutrition, choking hazards, and the formation of a mass known as a 'bezoar' that can block the intestines. Moreover, many cotton balls aren’t made from natural cotton but are instead constructed from bleached polyester fibers that contain harmful chemical additives. The diet has rightfully faced backlash from the media due to its dangerous medical implications and should not be attempted.
6. The Tongue Patch Diet
The tongue patch diet, created by Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon Dr. Chugay, claims to help individuals lose up to 15 kilograms (30 lb) a month. It involves a cosmetic procedure where a restrictive patch, about the size of a postage stamp, is stitched onto the tongue. This makes eating solid food incredibly painful, so patients are forced to only consume liquids. The patch is priced at 'just' $2,000.
According to Dr. Chugay’s official website, those who choose the 'miracle patch' are placed on a liquid diet that provides all necessary nutrients and is easy to follow. Patients are monitored closely by either Dr. Chugay or his staff throughout the process.
The potential side effects of this extreme diet include difficulty speaking due to tongue swelling, waking up suddenly from sleep, excessive drooling, persistent pain, and the risk of developing an ulcer or infection. It may also lead to an airway obstruction, which could partially or completely block airflow to the lungs.
All this for a mere $2,000? No thanks, we’ll pass.
5. Ear Stapling
The practice, inspired by Chinese acupuncture, involves placing surgical staples in the inner cartilage of each ear, which supposedly stimulates a point that reduces your appetite. Experts recommend leaving the staples in place for two to three months to see the best results.
This peculiar 'diet' gained popularity in the 2000s, though it has been around since the 1970s under the name 'staplepuncture.' The diet requires healthy eating and exercise, which makes the stapling seem unnecessary, as you would lose weight regardless. Moreover, this unregulated procedure can result in serious harm—ear infections or even permanent disfigurement are common risks associated with this strange diet.
4. Kangatarian Diet
The kangatarian diet consists of only vegetables and kangaroo meat. Adherents, known as 'kangatarians,' consider themselves quasi-vegetarians, as they still consume red meat. They argue that eating kangaroos is more ethical than consuming other types of meat, as kangaroos feed on wild plants, cause less land degradation, and produce less methane (natural gas) compared to cows—nature’s biggest methane emitter. Additionally, most kangaroos live outdoors, unlike cows and other animals that are often confined to poor living conditions before being slaughtered.
Kangatarians maintain that kangaroo meat is organic and free-range, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize healthy, organic eating. While kangaroo meat became legal to sell in 1993, several misconceptions have emerged, such as the widespread belief that kangaroos are farmed. However, obtaining kangaroo meat outside of Australia is challenging, which makes it unlikely that this diet will become a global trend.
3. Baby Food Diet
The baby food diet was reportedly created by fitness expert Tracy Anderson. It involves swapping breakfast and lunch for 14 jars of baby food, while enjoying a healthy dinner with plenty of vegetables and very little fatty meat. Interestingly, this diet is not designed for weight loss but rather for maintenance. So, before starting this regimen, you should first shed any excess weight, as the baby food diet helps you maintain your thin physique—it doesn’t actually promote weight loss.
Since baby food is predominantly made from fruits and vegetables, this diet will naturally increase your intake of these nutritious foods. Baby food is also typically packaged in small portions, which can help with portion control. Plus, you don’t need to cook anything. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of this diet—it’s uncertain how baby food might impact your body. Furthermore, this diet could lead to a fiber deficiency, and without solid research, who would want to snack on baby food when there are so many other alternatives?
2. Clay Cleanse Diet
The clay cleanse diet involves ingesting bentonite clay, a form of volcanic ash, which is believed to detoxify the body by drawing out toxins. Bentonite clay contains a variety of minerals like calcium and magnesium and is often called 'healing clay.' When consumed with water, bentonite clay expands within your body and gives you a sensation of fullness.
In 2005, a study was conducted at Texas Tech University in Lubbock to assess the safety of clay. Fifty volunteers participated, consuming different amounts of clay. The study found no evidence supporting bentonite clay's effectiveness for detoxification, but products containing bentonite clay were deemed relatively safe. However, it is advised not to consume more than one teaspoon of bentonite clay daily, and it is important to drink plenty of water when using it, both with the clay and throughout the day.
There is no credible scientific evidence to support the claim that bentonite clay aids in weight loss. The risks associated with the 'clay cleanse' diet include constipation, bowel obstruction, dehydration, low blood pressure, and nutritional deficiencies. As a result, the potential dangers of this diet appear to far outweigh any benefits.
1. Cookie Diet
Dr. Sanford Siegal, a weight loss expert and author, developed the cookie diet, which is claimed to have helped thousands of people lose an average of 7 kilograms (15 lbs) per month. According to Dr. Siegal, hunger is the primary obstacle to successful dieting, and therefore it is best to have nine small snacks along with one substantial meal each day. However, the snacks cannot just be any food, but must be a specially formulated cookie with only 60 calories. These cookies, which cost $50–$60 per box, are baked in Dr. Siegal's personal bakery and are available exclusively to his clinic patients. The dinner is limited to 500–700 calories and can include foods like chicken, turkey, or seafood. Additionally, dieters are allowed one cup of vegetables and must drink a total of eight glasses of liquid daily.
Despite its structure, the cookie diet lacks essential nutrients that provide necessary minerals, vitamins, and proper servings of vegetables and fruits. Even Dr. Siegal himself acknowledges that this diet should not be followed long-term. And if one is going to go on such an unusual cookie-based diet, why not simply enjoy regular cookies?
