09.01.26
Why Your Diet Keeps Backfiring
Chaotic dieting might do more harm than good. Here's what to do instead.
The harsh truth about harsh diets
We’ve all seen them:
“No carbs for 30 days.”
“Drop 5 kg in a week.”
“Just eat chicken and breathe.”
And sure, some of them “work” — until they don’t.
Because when your nutrition looks like a war zone, your body fights back.
Let’s break down the common dangers behind chaotic dieting — and what actually works instead.
“No carbs for 30 days.”
“Drop 5 kg in a week.”
“Just eat chicken and breathe.”
And sure, some of them “work” — until they don’t.
Because when your nutrition looks like a war zone, your body fights back.
Let’s break down the common dangers behind chaotic dieting — and what actually works instead.
1. Keto isn't magic — it’s a metabolic stress test
Low-carb, high-fat diets like keto are trendy, but not always healthy — especially long term.
What can go wrong:
✅ Carbs aren't the enemy. They're fuel. Especially for your brain and hormones.
What can go wrong:
- Excess fat puts stress on the liver and kidneys
- Low carb intake can affect mood, energy, and focus
- Women especially may experience hormonal imbalance and fatigue
- For most people, it’s not sustainable — the weight comes back (fast)
✅ Carbs aren't the enemy. They're fuel. Especially for your brain and hormones.
2. “Drying Out” wrecks women’s hormones
Many women try extreme “cutting” or “drying” phases — low fat, low carb, low joy.
But healthy fat is essential for menstrual cycles, skin, brain function, and hormone production.
Without enough fat:
✅ Your body isn’t the enemy. Fat is not evil. Support your hormones — don’t shut them down.
But healthy fat is essential for menstrual cycles, skin, brain function, and hormone production.
Without enough fat:
- Estrogen levels drop
- Periods can become irregular or disappear
- Fatigue, anxiety, and poor sleep creep in
- Fertility and thyroid health may be affected
✅ Your body isn’t the enemy. Fat is not evil. Support your hormones — don’t shut them down.
3. Undereating = Low Energy, High Damage
If your diet leaves you hungry, foggy, irritable, or weak — it’s not “working.”
Chronic undereating can lead to:
✅ Your body needs fuel to burn fuel. Underfeeding it makes everything worse.
Chronic undereating can lead to:
- Muscle loss instead of fat loss
- Weakened immune system
- Low energy, brain fog, and dizziness
- Increased cravings and binge behavior
✅ Your body needs fuel to burn fuel. Underfeeding it makes everything worse.
4. The diet rollercoaster is real
Drastic restrictions usually lead to… drastic rebounds.
Lose 5 kg fast? You might gain back 7 when it’s over.
Why?
✅ Real change isn’t about going hard. It’s about staying consistent.
Lose 5 kg fast? You might gain back 7 when it’s over.
Why?
- Your metabolism adapts to starvation
- You lose water + muscle — not fat
- You binge after restriction
- Fat comes back faster than lean mass
✅ Real change isn’t about going hard. It’s about staying consistent.
✅ So what does work?
📌 Slight, consistent changes.
📌 Balanced meals — not fear-based ones.
📌 Tracking how you feel after meals, not just how many calories they have.
📌 Listening to your body — not punishing it.
📌 Balanced meals — not fear-based ones.
📌 Tracking how you feel after meals, not just how many calories they have.
📌 Listening to your body — not punishing it.
Mealtune = lifestyle, not crash course
Mealtune helps you:
Just smarter eating — one meal at a time.
- Understand what your body needs today
- Adjust your food gently — no chaos
- Track energy, balance, and nutrients without stress
- Eat in a way that supports your goals and your health
Just smarter eating — one meal at a time.
Olesia Kharinskaia
Mealtune founder. UX/UI designer, nutritionist enthusiast.