Why You Should Think Twice Before Starting The Cucumber Diet

The cucumber diet consists of cucumbers, of course, along with some protein-rich foods such as eggs, nuts, chicken, and fish. Proponents of this weight loss diet claim you can lose 15 pounds if you follow it for seven to 14 days, and in fact, a common tagline for the diet is 7 kilograms (15 pounds) in seven days. There are no studies to prove these claims, but since this would highly restrict your calorie intake, you'll no doubt lose weight on it — but you can't stay on this diet long because it's far too restrictive. The cucumber diet cuts out so many other foods, leaving you without the nutrients you need (via Healthline).

The only rules are that you replace almost all your food with cucumbers, and when you feel hungry, guess what? You eat a cucumber. Since cucumbers are low in calories, you'll definitely lose weight, but you'll probably be miserable and so will your body. You're allowed to add some of the protein-rich foods in small portions because cucumbers are so low in protein. 

It's unlikely that you'll lose a lot of weight — and keep it off — once you go off the cucumber diet. The average 200-gram cucumber has just 30 calories, so you're no doubt going to have a calorie deficit, which is necessary for weight loss. But cucumbers cannot be the main part of your diet, simply because you'll be missing out on so many other nutrients. One 200-gram cucumber has 294 milligrams of potassium, 32.8 micrograms of vitamin K, and 5.6 milligrams of vitamin C, according to USDA FoodData Central.

Most people regain any weight loss after ending a restrictive diet, according to a 2016 study published in Obesity and a 2017 study published in Nutrients. You'll fare better with a regular and varied diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, lean protein, and nuts. Throw in a good exercise program like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and you have a healthy new lifestyle.