It’s no secret that most of us want to lose weight–but how far is too far? A new diet trend among brides-to-be has health experts worried that women could be putting their lives in danger.
Called the K-E diet, or the feeding tube diet, this diet supposedly helps brides lose weight by–you guessed it–hooking them up to feeding tubes to give them a low calorie solution of vitamins, minerals, and virtually no carbs.
But believe it or not, it works, according to one dieter.
“I don’t have all of the time on the planet just to focus an hour and a half a day to exercise so I came to the doctor, I saw the diet, and I said, ‘You know what? Why not? Let me try it,” says Jessica Schnaider, a bride-to-be who used the diet to lose 10 pounds. “So I decided to go ahead and give it a shot. It was emotionally difficult, the 10 days of not eating.”
Though she admits that abstaining from food for 10 days was more than an ordeal, Schnaider lost 10 pounds just in time for her wedding–without needing to exercise or count calories.
One catch, though: It’s expensive.
“Although the K-E diet is new to the United States, it has been around for years in Europe,” says Yunji De Nies, a reporter for Good Morning America. “Dr. Di Pietro [who created the diet] charges $1,500 for the 10-day plan, and says the before-and-after pictures sell themselves.”
Is it Worth It?
While Dr. Oliver Di Pietro, creator of the diet, is quick to claim this is a fast, effective way to shed the pounds, other health experts aren’t so keen on the idea. Some warn that losing too much weight rapidly isn’t likely to stay off for good, and in some cases may aggravate kidney problems. Even Di Pietro admits that people with kidney problems shouldn’t try this diet.
One health expert argues that it’s not good for your mind either.
“If you lose the weight too quickly your mind is not going to be able to catch up with a newer, skinnier you,” says Bethany Marshall, a Beverly Hills, Calif. psychoanalyst.
Still, experts don’t deny that the K-E diet works–and for some brides, that’s all that matters.
“It is a hunger-free, effective way of dieting,” says Di Pietro. “Within a few hours and your hunger and appetite go away completely, so patients are actually not hungry at all for the whole 10 days. That’s what is so amazing about this diet.”
What You Should Do
If you’re desperate to lose weight fast, trying the feeding tube could work–but it’s not likely to lead to permanent weight loss. Health experts recommend focusing on eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly as a healthier way to keep your waistline trim.
Readers: Would you try this diet? Why or why not?
Sources:
Feeding Tube Diet: Inside the Controversial Weight Loss Method – ABC13.com
Brides Use Feeding Tube Diet to Rapidly Shed Pounds – ABCNews.go.com
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