Can the Lunar Cycles Help with Weight Loss?

Have you heard about the new Werewolf Diet? This diet revolves around the cycles of the moon and aims to cleanse your body of toxins, and “promises” you will lose up to 6 pounds of water weight per day. Advocates of this diet insist that the moon influences the water in our bodies, the way it controls the tides of the oceans. The thought is that since humans are composed of over 60% water, when the moon is full or in a new phase, there is a gravitational pull that affects how much water weight you will gain or lose.

There is a basic plan which includes 24 hours of fasting during the full moon, and you are only permitted only water and freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice. The extended plan will begin with fasting during the full moon and then follow a specific diet during the other lunar phases including the waning, new and waxing phases, and there is no eating past 6 pm (when moonlight becomes more visible).

Dietitians from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have weighed in on this fad diet. They have said that this is just another lose weight quick diet by basing it off the lunar cycles. These Werewolf dieters should not expect to lose 6 pounds in the matter of 24 hours. There is no research to support this claim, and if weight is lost, it will most likely be temporary. These pounds are not sustainable because it may just be water weight lost by not eating.

The best way to lose weight is by avoiding these phony fads and sticking to balanced meals including lean protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy and fruits and vegetables, watching your portion sizes and exercising 30 minutes each day.