3-Day Diets - The Fastest Way To Lose Weight

3-day diets are popular because they do work. Stick to them and in that short amount of time you will shed those extra pounds. Some have lost between 6 to 10 pounds in one go thanks to these specially-designed diets. The low-carbohydrate, high protein diets often shave off the mid-section, and there is actual fat loss involved, not just water weight.

The important question is: are they safe? Generally, these diets should do no harm provided they are not used longer than the prescribed three days. 

Typical 3-day diets have you eating mostly meat, vegetables and fruit over the course of the three days. During this time, starches and sugar are kept at a minimum, some have them completely eliminated.

This is actually a big improvement over the way most people normally eat. And although calorie intake is very limited, there is little chance of becoming malnourished since the meal plan is only to be followed for three days.

Problems can arise if people go on the diets for extended periods,  or if they use the diets on and off repeatedly within a short span of time. Aside from losing vital nutrients and decreasing energy, you can also actually slow down your metabolism - making it even harder to keep trim.

When you go on a 3-day diet, it is important to keep in mind that their purpose should be for losing pounds quickly in aid to a longer term, more sustainable eating plan. Go on any effective 3-day diet and you will lose those extra 6 to 10 pounds. However, you will pack those pounds back again just as quickly as you lost them if you do not follow through with some sensible, healthy eating. Exercise is also crucial to keeping those pounds off.

One suggestion is to do a three on, four off version of the diet. In the three day period, do the diets exactly as planned. For the next four days, eat the same foods with bigger portions. This should prevent metabolic slowdown and help make the 3-day diets work for better for you.

But at a certain point you will have to go back to eating more varied food groups, just keeping the portions in check to maintain whatever weight you had lost. Remember, you still need to take in some carbohydrates eventually - otherwise you risk nutritional imbalances or weakness and fatigue.

And before trying any of the popular three day diets, make sure that you do not have a pre-existing condition or illness that would contraindicate going on a very limited calorie regimen. Note that these 3-day diets usually only let you take in no more than 1000 calories per day.

It is important to lose weight, yes - just not at the expense of your long term, general health.