GM Diet Side Effects – 11 Hidden Risks Of The 7-Day GM Diet

The GM diet helps you lose weight rather quickly. In fact, it helped the employees of General Motors to lose 17 lbs within seven days. But how many of you are aware of the hidden side effects of the GM diet? Certainly not many! This article brings you the 11 untold dangers of this diet. Take a look!

1. Is Not Scientific

There are no scientific studies that prove that the GM diet is an effective weight loss plan. The diet is not recommended by registered dietitians and doctors and is a fad diet. The employees of General Motors went on this diet for 7 days and shed their weight quickly. But the lack of scientific evidence and support makes the GM diet questionable. 

2. Restricts Nutrition

The GM diet is a severely restricted diet designed for quick weight loss. It is not only a very low-calorie diet but also forces dieters to restrict food groups like whole grains and protein. Whole grains are good sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals (1). Proteins help improve satiety and prevent muscle loss (2), (3). Restricting these food groups makes the GM diet highly imbalanced and causes nutritional deficiencies.

3. Is Unsustainable

Each day, the dieters consume any one of these: fruits, veggies, banana and milk, or soup. This lack of variety in food makes it monotonous and unsustainable. A weight-loss diet needs to be sustainable and palatable to be successful. Diets like the Mediterranean diet and intermittent fasting are effective, flexible, and sustainable and aid weight loss.

4. Slows Down Metabolism

Consuming very few for a prolonged period causes metabolic slowdown. Following the GM diet with restricted food options and nutritional deprivation affects the normal metabolic rate (4). Metabolism slowdown leads to fat storage and eventual weight gain instead of weight loss.

5. Causes Brain Fog

Inability to focus, think clearly, and memory loss are symptoms of brain fog. Nutritionally deficient and restricted low-calorie diets, like the GM diet, may cause brain fog (5). It disbalances hormones and shuts the body processes down to preserve energy for survival. As a result, the brain stops functioning normally.

6. Can Lead To Muscle Loss/Weakness

Following the GM diet for a prolonged period may cause muscle loss. This is because the GM diet is low in calories and does not allow exercising. Doing exercises like cardio and strength training every alternate day can help you lose fat and preserve/build lean muscle mass (6). Not exercising at all causes muscle weakness, muscle loss, and deteriorates heart and lung health.

7. Can Cause Poor Exercise Performance

Exercising helps improve stamina, flexibility, balance, endurance, and muscle power. Not exercising for even three days causes a “muscle disuse”. This means your muscles start to lose their ability to contract and relax fast (7). Not exercising for seven days while on a low-protein, low-calorie diet, affects exercise performance, strength, stamina, muscle power, and balance.

8. Can Cause Headache And Mood Swings

Hunger may affect the body and brain (8). Low-calorie, low-carb, and low-protein diets, like the GM diet, cause frequent headaches, irritability, and mood swings.

9. Causes Dehydration

The GM diet causes metabolic slowdown. The amount of fluid through food, juices, and water are rapidly used up to enhance the metabolic rate. As a result, dehydration and constant thirst kick in. Dehydration further slows down metabolism and also causes dry skin.

10. Can Cause Hair Loss

Another side effect of the GM diet is hair loss. The GM diet is low in protein (the main building block of hair) and nutritionally deficient (like vitamins and minerals that are required for strong hair) (9). Being on the GM diet for more than a week (if you can sustain it) causes hair fall, dull hair, and may even stall hair growth.

10. Is Not For Everyone

The GM diet is not for everyone. Pregnant women and children should steer clear of the GM diet. People with normal BMI should also opt for diets that are not so restrictive. People with diabetes, hypoglycemia, and heart disease should avoid the GM diet.

The GM diet, though potentially effective in the long run, can cause some serious side effects. But there could be times when you may want to be on the diet. Here’s what you can do to manage the side effects of the GM diet.

How To Manage The Side Effects Of The GM Diet?

• Get a customized GM diet chart from a registered dietitian.
• Drink water to stay hydrated.
• Consume omega-3 and multivitamins after consulting your dietitian.
• Ensure you do not follow the diet for more than a week.
• Do yoga stretches to prevent “muscle disuse”.
• Get back to working out slowly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GM diet harmful?

Yes, in the long run, being on the GM diet is harmful. The diet causes nutritional deficiencies, metabolic slowdown, brain fog, dehydration, muscle loss and weakness, and mood swings. Pregnant women, children, people with heart disease, diabetes, and hypoglycemia should avoid the GM diet.

Can I cheat in GM diet?

The GM diet is highly rigid and restrictive. If you cheat on the GM diet, you may not achieve the desired weight loss and might have to start over from day 1.

Can I exercise during GM diet?

No, the GM diet does not allow exercising. It is a low-calorie diet, and doing vigorous exercise may make you weaker.

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Charushila Biswas

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 5 years, she has... more

Reda Elmardi

(RDN)

Reda Elmardi is a registered dietician, certified nutritionist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer. He has more than 10... more