Information About the Pro-Ana ABC Diet

Curious about the Pro-Ana Boot Camp (ABC) diet? Learn about the diet, why it is not recommended by doctors, how it is performed, safety tips and expected weight loss here.

What is the ABC Diet?
The ABC Diet, also known as Pro-Ana or Ana Boot Camp, is a starvation diet that originated on a Pro-Anorexia Livejournal community, based off the 2468 Diet. It causes extreme weight loss by restricting calories to under 800 calories per day. The ABC Diet Plan gained popularity in Pro-Ana message boards because of the length of the diet -- according to DietChoices.com, the diet is continued for 50 days, or until the person reaches his or her goal weight.

The ABC Diet Plan advocates anorexic-like restriction at its core as a way to lose weight.

How do you do the ABC Diet?
The diet requires several days of extreme dieting, keeping the total amount of calories below 600 calories per day. Six days of fasting are also required, spread out between weeks. There are several days where dieters are allowed to eat over 600 calories, but never over 800 calories. Calories are varied each day because followers claim it increases the metabolism.

Exercise is strongly encouraged to burn off the remaining calories in the body, but not required as part of the ABC Diet Plan.

Is the ABC Diet safe?
The ABC Diet is not a safe diet plan because of the extreme calorie restriction. Nevertheless, many pro-anorexics use the ABC Diet to lose weight quickly. The ABC Diet can cause numerous complications, including malnutrition, fatigue, and anorexic symptoms such as paranoia, sensitivity to cold, depression, and a disposition to more dangerous weight loss behaviors.

Physicians do not recommend the ABC Diet as a healthy way to lose weight. It promotes using anorexic methods to lose weight, which increases complications.

Does the ABC Diet work?
Yes. The ABC Diet works because of the extreme calorie restriction, causing rapid weight loss. Many dieters report losing over 20lbs on the ABC Diet if the diet is followed correctly. Those who do not complete all 50 days lose less weight.

Am I allowed to skip fasting days on the ABC Diet?
No, you are not allowed to skip those days. You must fast on the fasting days or you must start over.

How are the ABC Diet and the 2468 Diet similar?
The ABC Diet and the 2468 Diet are similar because it focuses on varying calories every day as a way to "trick" the body and prevent metabolism slowdown. There is no scientific proof that shows varying calories on a anorexic level prevents the metabolism from slowing down; evidence actually suggests the metabolism slows down regardless of the variation. Eating above 1200 calories per day by incorporating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is the best way to protect the metabolism.

The ABC Diet is not a recommended diet for anyone because it promotes anorexia, and its demand for extreme restriction can cause a plethora of issues for dieters. There are plenty of other diets that advocate healthy behaviors and steady weight loss. Although many dieters lose a lot of weight with the ABC Diet, the weight loss is not permanent and many dieters gain back the lost weight. Dieters are advised to speak with a physician before beginning any diet.

Sources:
DietChoices.com, "Ana Boot Camp Diet Review"