Expert: Joanne - 10/18/2006

Question
I was wondering if the 2,4,6,8 'diet' actually does what it's suppose to do, that being keeping your metabolism guessing. On the first day you eat 200 cals, then day 2 400 then day 3 600 cals and after day 4 with 800 cals you go back down to 200 cals on day 5 and appareantly this is meant to shock your metabolism, stop if from slowing down too much and keep you from plateuing on your weight. Is there any truth in this? I know it is still restricting but i refust to eat over 500 cals a day now so this way i may be getting a little more. Plus i do lots of exercise too. Any help you could give would be appreciated.

Answer
I'm sorry, but I don't recommend this diet at all, it is far too low to be anywhere near healthy.  Yes, it would be great if you can increase your calories slightly more, but what about the days when you are eating even less?

All of these calories values are in the starvation range, so it won't matter differing them as your metabolism will be in starvation mode, and all this will do is encourage your body to store what food it can when you do eat.

I think that you need to see you Dr ASAP if you are restricting so much already.  You may need to see someone that specialises in eating disorders.

Holly