Think the craziness of going carnivore was left behind (alongside all things Brat) in 2024? Think again – with a growing number of Aussies re-boarding the fad diet 2025 bandwagon. Despite overwhelming evidence that these restrictive regimes rarely deliver long-term results, new data from nutrition and food tracking app MyFitnessPal reveals that nearly one in three Aussies (32%) plan to follow a restrictive diet this year. This is despite the fact that a staggering 71% of Australians have already dabbled in fad diets before, only to discover their promises were often too good to be true.
From extreme low-calorie diets (42%) to skipping meals (41%) and even the raw food diet (18%), the top picks for 2025’s diet trends are hardly surprising. And while juice cleanses, the baby food diet, and the retro grapefruit diet may sound like relics of the past, some Australians are ready to give them another whirl. (Yes, even the eggs-and-wine diet has a 3% revival rate!)
The great Australian diet dilemma
The allure of a quick fix remains strong, particularly in Tasmania, where 64% of respondents said they’d try a restrictive approach. South Australia (35%) and the Northern Territory (39%) aren’t far behind in their enthusiasm for deprivation-driven dieting. But as Dr Gina Cleo, a PhD habit researcher and dietitian, puts it, “Quick wins are tempting, but they come at a cost—nutrient deficiencies, unhealthy eating habits, and, most importantly, unsustainable results.”
Instead, Dr Cleo advocates for a more balanced approach. “Fad diets feed into the myth of instant perfection,” she says. “Real success comes from making small, consistent changes over time.”
Cut it out
It’s not just about following bizarre eating patterns. Australians are also gearing up to cut entire food groups. A whopping 49% of people plan to say goodbye to sweets and sugar (73%), while fast food (55%) and carbs (43%) are also on the chopping block. Even iconic Australian favourites like meat pies and sausage rolls aren’t safe, with 33% vowing to avoid these national treasures. Meanwhile, 31% are eyeing fats like oil and butter as their dietary nemesis.
But nutritionist and MyFitnessPal ambassador Michaela Sparrow warns against such blanket eliminations. “It’s clear Aussies want to prioritise health, but cutting out entire food groups is a recipe for frustration and failure,” she explains. “Balance is the key. Tracking your nutrition and making small adjustments over time helps build healthier habits without the stress of total restriction.”
Why fad diets fail
The pitfalls of extreme dieting are well-documented. Nearly half (41%) of Australians admit to fasting, while 26% have skipped meals in the past in a bid to shed kilos. Others have tried meal replacement shakes and formula diets, only to find the results short-lived. The irony? Many of these approaches lead to a yo-yo effect, leaving people worse off than when they started.
And let’s not forget the quirky diets of years gone by: from juice cleanses to cabbage soup, they promise miracles but rarely deliver anything more than fleeting misery.
So, what’s the alternative? MyFitnessPal offers an excellent antidote to the cycle of crash diets and deprivation. By tracking your food intake, embracing balance, and focusing on small, incremental changes, the app empowers users to build sustainable habits.
“Instead of punishing yourself for what you eat, focus on progress, not perfection,” says Sparrow. “Your health goals are a marathon, not a sprint.”
