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Why It's Not Worth Commencing a Diet for Weight Loss
Max Müller
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Diets Premium Expert • 25.03.2026
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Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian:
This article has been peer-reviewed for adherence to IŻŻ, WHO, and PTGiP clinical nutritional standards.
| Diets Premium Expert Max Müller | min read 7 min | Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian 25.03.2026 |
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Key Takeaways
The fight against excess weight is difficult and often does not produce the desired results. Fat reserves are an alternative source of energy that the body uses in the event of a lack of food. Therefore, the process of reducing fat tissue can be difficult. Why is calorie counting often not effective and is there another effective method to reduce excess weight? The term diet usually refers to temporary modifications in eating habits with the aim of reducing body weight, but it is not only about reducing food intake, but also about adopting a lifestyle that is the sum of daily eating habits. Only through permanent changes in diet can we achieve positive results.
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Reasons for overweight and traditional weight-loss methods
The direct cause of excessive body mass is the long-term observation of a positive energy balance. According to theory, to maintain body mass at a certain level, the amount of energy consumed should match the expenditure value of the body. A disruption of this balance results in a change in body composition through an increase in adipose tissue.
Positive energy excess
A positive energy balance (caloric surplus) occurs when daily total energy expenditure is lower than dietary energy intake. This state constitutes a physiological prerequisite for muscular hypertrophy during structured resistance training, requiring calibrated macronutrient management to minimize adipose tissue accumulation.
Negative energy balance
Expended energy > Consumed energy. According to the standards for dietary treatment of simple obesity in adults developed by the Polish Society for Nutritional Science, a dietary intervention aimed at reducing body weight should consider introducing a calorie deficit of 500-800 kcal compared to current body requirements. The European Association for the Study of Obesity recommends reducing daily calorie needs by 15-30%. In the case of a person who consumes about 2500 kcal per day, this would result in a reduction of daily calorie needs by 375-750 kcal. In addition to reducing the amount of consumed energy, the amount of expended energy should also be increased, i.e. the level of physical activity. Why does the weight loss process so often end in failure, and why do many people return to their starting weight after completing a diet?
Body weight-reducing diet plans - metabolic consequences
Short-term diet plans aimed at reducing body weight result in a series of metabolic changes in the body, intended to prevent weight loss.
Decrease in the Level of Expended Energy
One of the outcomes of utilizing a reduction diet is a decrease in the basal metabolic rate (PPM). PPM is the lowest level of the body's energy metabolism that allows for the maintenance of life functions. PPM constitutes the largest component of daily energy expenditure in humans. In the Rosenbaum M. et al. study, it was demonstrated that individuals who reduced their body weight by 10% or more (in the past few weeks or maintained the reduced weight for over a year) had a significantly lower energy expenditure, including PPM, compared to individuals of the same age and with the same stable body weight.
Increased demand for food
In their 2016 research paper, Polidori D. and colleagues estimated that with each one kilogram loss in body weight, a heightened appetite could lead to consuming up to 100 additional calories. This may be attributed to an increase in the concentration of hunger-inducing hormones such as ghrelin. In the analysis by Sumithran P. and colleagues, even a year after starting weight loss, the level of hunger-inducing substances was higher than before the diet began in the study participants. However, it should be noted that the individuals participating in the study were following a very low-calorie diet.
Calorie restrictions amplify the satisfaction of consuming sweets
Assessing the level of satisfaction with food intake is an extremely challenging task. However, it is possible to evaluate the activity of the brain area associated with the reward system. In a study by Peters K. and Büchel Ch., increased activity in this area after sugar consumption was observed in individuals with anorexia. Conversely, a study by Frank G.K. et al. revealed reduced activity in this region in overweight individuals compared to those with a normal body weight. Remarkably, not only sustained calorie restrictions but also extended intervals between meals and persistent hunger sensations can amplify the satisfaction derived from unhealthy snacks. This is suggested by an experiment conducted by Siep N. et al., in which the reward system areas displayed greater activity in individuals shown images of high-calorie meals. Therefore, regularity is also a critical factor.
When not counting calories, what else?
As previously indicated, the limitation of kilocalorie consumption may lead to a decrease in basal metabolic rate. According to Handa G.A. and Blair S.N., high energy intake, i.e., dietary consumption and simultaneous expending of large energy amounts, provides greater protection against weight gain than long-term calorie deficit. In brief, a reasonable diet that meets the body's requirements for fat and physical activity should be adopted. Bell Ch. et al. studied 10 elderly individuals who regularly reduced their levels of aerobic fitness.
Exercise more, consume more
Although it may seem banal - the simplest, but highly patient way of losing weight is permanently changing eating habits and incorporating physical activity. A properly structured diet and appropriate intervals between meals will allow us to reduce the temptation, then we will stop craving sweet snacks from the store. The right balance of the diet should also automatically reduce its caloric content. For example, a salad taken to work, such as a salad of couscous with vegetables and tuna, provides in 100 g about 250 kcal. As many or even fewer calories than in a quickly gulped down donut, but the salad will guarantee a feeling of fullness much longer and dampen the craving for sweets. A healthy diet should be based on foods with a high content of vitamins and minerals, i.e., with high density. Its foundation should be meals characterized by a low glycemic index. In the analysis of Thomas D. E. , Elliott E. J. and Baur L. it was shown that a diet with a low glycemic index/low glycemic load was significantly more effective in weight reduction and lipid profile regulation.
Guidelines to adhere to if you aim to lower your body weight without counting calories
1. Make vegetables the foundation of your diet. 2. Consume meals systematically every 3-4 hours. 3. Select high-fiber products – whole-grain bread, thick grains, vegetables. 4. Introduce healthy snacks – healthy alternatives to sweets will have fewer calories and more nutrients. These options include fruits and proteins. 5. Meet your calcium and protein requirements by consuming two portions of dairy products per day. 6. Incorporate legumes into your diet at least twice a week. 7. Ensure adequate consumption of monounsaturated fats by regularly consuming fish and plant oils. Add nuts and seeds to your diet. 8. Plan your meals to avoid being caught off guard by hunger, which may lead you to consume unhealthy products. Always keep a healthy snack option on hand. 9. Engage in physical activity at least five days a week, tailored to your fitness level. 10. Ensure you sleep at least seven hours every night.
mgr Max Müller
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Diets Premium team expert. Specializes in nutrition plans, strength sports, and training plans.
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