Weight loss, to feel healthier, to prepare for a specific event, or just as a boost in the fitness journey, is on most people's bucket list. Rapid weight loss does need to be approached with care because of potential health risks. In that case, five of the well-researched diets from U.S. News & World Report on Best Diets can be of help in losing pounds efficiently in 2025.

Even when aiming for rapid results, balance and nutrition are key. Structure your meals as follows:

• Fill half your plate with non-starchy options like spinach, zucchini, and bell peppers.
• Include lean sources such as chicken, tofu, or eggs to preserve muscle mass.
• Add avocado, nuts, or olive oil for essential nutrients.
• Choose complex carbs like quinoa or sweet potatoes, but keep portions small.

Is Rapid Weight Loss Ever a Good Idea?

Rapid weight loss may be beneficial to people who face health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. In this regard, when their BMI is greater than 30, the very low-calorie diet may be recommended by physicians. These VLCDs may help in controlling risks and facilitating a healthier weight, which further minimizes the chances of suffering from severe conditions, including postmenopausal breast cancer and colon cancer.

For others, rapid weight loss may serve as a motivational impetus but should be balanced with efficacy and sustainability. A healthcare provider should be consulted before beginning any weight loss program.

5 Best Diets for Rapid Weight Loss in 2025

1. Jenny Craig Diet

The Jenny Craig Diet is a highly structured meal program that provides clients with prepackaged, portion-controlled foods to manage calorie intake while teaching them healthy eating habits. This also includes the practice of intermittent fasting for better effects.

One thing that differentiates Jenny Craig is one-on-one coaching. Members receive individualized advice on the timing of meals, portion control, and balanced eating, leading to sustainable weight loss. The average weight loss for participants is 1–2 pounds per week, which makes it a very practical approach for people seeking steady, fast results.

2. Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet, or keto, emphasizes high-fat and low-carb foods to induce ketosis, a state where the body burns fat for energy. This approach leads to significant weight loss, especially in the initial stages.

Beyond weight loss, keto is also said to improve mental acuity, energy, and stabilization of blood sugar. However, the diet's strictness comes at a great cost. Fattening avocado, fatty fish, nuts, and lean proteins are the stars, while carbohydrates in the form of bread, pasta, and sugar are banished.

3. SlimFast Diet

For individuals who want a convenient, time-saving diet, SlimFast offers effective meal replacement solutions in the form of shakes, bars, and smoothies. It is great for losing up to 20 pounds, meaning participants can get to their goals in 8–10 weeks.

While convenient, it's important to balance other meals with nutrient-rich foods in order to avoid deficiencies. SlimFast is ideal for a busy person who cannot find time for meal planning but wants to lose weight rapidly.

4. WeightWatchers Diet

WeightWatchers, recently branded as WW, combines the strengths of behavioral science, nutrition, and technology into a total solution for weight loss. In their point system, users get the freedom to choose from hundreds of foods.

WW is more than a weight loss program, offering programs designed for people with diabetes or those on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. The program is comprehensive with a strong app, recipes, and support groups, making it accessible and effective.

5. Volumetrics Diet

The Volumetrics Diet flips the conventional diet on its head, focusing on low-calorie-density foods that are high in nutrients. Think fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, and whole grains. Participants eat filling, water-rich foods, so they consume fewer calories while still feeling satisfied.

Volumetrics isn't a restriction diet but rather a lifestyle, teaching one portion control and how to eat. It's not a diet, as most of the ingredients can be sourced at any local grocery store.

Also Read: 20-Minute At-Home Pilates To Tone Up And Burn Fat

Essentials of Rapid Weight Loss

Though effective diets, rapid weight loss comes with its challenges:

Water Weight vs. Fat Loss

Many rapid plans will initially cause water loss, which is sure to return after the normal eating habit is resumed.

Sustainability

Fad diets will always create an urge to consume and hinder one's ability to stick to a diet for long periods of time.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Eliminating specific food groups entirely can lead to the omission of necessary vitamins and minerals.

These three challenges can be overcome by focusing on rapid weight loss as the stepping stone to good lifestyle changes. This should be complemented with exercise, mindful eating, and stress management to sustain progress.

Lifestyle Changes for Maintaining Weight Loss

Quick diets may be a great starting point, but sustainable lifestyle habits are essential for long-term success. These include regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and control of stressors. All of these can maintain a healthy weight.

In any case, all these diets focus on achieving one goal- that of general wellness. Begin small, and create a base upon which to sustain long-term outcomes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any diet, especially if you have preexisting health conditions.

After NHS doctors warned people against vitamin D tablets and its overdose, Turkish expert Prof Dr Mustafa Atlay, a specialist in endocrinology and metabolic diseases at Ankara Training and Research Hospital, said that vitamin D levels above 100 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) pose significant risks. The doctor said, "Excessive and unsupervised intake can lead to toxic effects." He highlighted that while deficiency is common among some people, the best way is sunlight. Most people have a limited sun exposure, particularly indoors workers.

The doctor says that deficiency symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, and in severe cases osteoporosis. Natural sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolk, liver, and mushrooms, but diet alone is insufficient. The doctor pointed out that supplements under medical supervision is important, especially for elderly individuals, children, and women.

What Are The Early Signs Of Vitamin D Poisoning?

Atlay noted that early signs of poisoning include:

• High blood calcium
• Causing nausea
• Dehydration
• Kidney injury
• Heart rhythm problems
• Neurological symptoms

What Are The Symptoms NHS Experts Warned About OD-ing on Vitamin D

Vitamin D Overdose: Feeling Frequently Thirsty And Want To Urinate

If you find yourself feeling thirsty or want to urinate more, it could be because you are taking too much of vitamin D. NHS experts suggest to cut the intake to a single 10 microgram tablet and drop any extras if these symptoms appear.

What happens is that excess vitamin D could disrupt fluid and salt balance in the body and thus you may want to visit the loo a little more. Also, keep hydrating yourself. In case the symptoms persist, go to your GP.

Read: NHS Doctors Warn Vitamin D Users About Four Key Overdose Symptoms

Vitamin D Overdose: Burping Constantly, Feel Nausea And Have A Sour Stomach

If you feel like puking, and are burping constantly, for feel like a sour stomach, then try to take your supplement after a meal. If you are taking gummies or spray, it is the best time to switch to a tablet. This happens because food buffers the supplement in the gut and reduces irritation, whereas sprays and gummies contain sweeteners or flavors that could create problems for some people.

Vitamin D Overdose: Bones And Muscles Hurt

If you feel your muscles are cramping more and bones also ache, it is a red flag. The key to this is to prioritize your fluids, mineral -rich foods, and physical activities.

Excess vitamin D could disturb the minerals muscles rely on. Furthermore, dehydration makes cramping worse. You can improve your hydration, drink water with meals and also include yogurt and leafy greens in your food. Include some exercise or gentle stretching in your schedule.

Vitamin D Overdose: Cannot Think Straight

Excess vitamin D could also make your brain fog or cause headaches. So, when you buy any supplement, make sure you read the label. Choose a product listing only cholecalciferol and simple bulking agents. Take it with food at the same time each day to keep intake steady and gentler on the gut. Experts also suggest leaving combined A+D products behind and only pick simple D3 tablet.

After two cases of Nipah virus, a rare, bat-borne pathogen was confirmed in West Bengal, five more cases were reported, with nearly 100 people placed under quarantine.

The two previously confirmed cases were of two nurses, the rest cases are of a doctor, a health staff member, with some patients in critical condition.

Speaking to TOI, Dr Aishwarya R, Consultant, Infectious Diseases at Aster RV Hospital said, “Nipah virus is a highly dangerous zoonotic infection with a high fatality rate, ranging from 40% to over 70% in past outbreaks.” The doctor has also advised people against eating certain food, including fruits fallen from trees, unpasteurized date palm sap and any other fruits without washing. The doctor explained that this infection can spread with infected animal who could bite fruits and spread the virus through their saliva.

Nipah Virus Tested In West Bengal Bats

A survey conducted on bats in West Bengal found no active Nipah virus infection. Though there were antibodies detected in one specimen, which indicated prior exposure. This was confirmed by a senior state forest department official on Tuesday. The survey was conducted amid the identification of two confirmed Nipah virus cases.

Read: After Two Nipah Cases In West Bengal, Tests On Bats Show No Active Infection

To conduct the survey, nine bats near Kuberpur on the Kolkata-Barasat Road in Madhyamgram were tested using RT-PCR. All samples were negative, however, one bat, tested positive for antibodies. However, it only suggested prior infection, meaning there was no current risk of transmission.

The survey was conducted by the state forest department in collaboration with scientists form Pune-based National Institute of Virology. "The findings are reassuring, but caution is warranted. Surveillance and prevent measures will continue until we are fully assured that there is no risk," confirmed a senior official of the West Bengal Health Department.

What Is Nipah Virus?

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals, and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.

In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.

Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people.

During the first recognized outbreak in Malaysia, which also affected Singapore, most human infections resulted from direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues. Transmission is thought to have occurred via unprotected exposure to secretions from the pigs, or unprotected contact with the tissue of a sick animal.

In subsequent outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, consumption of fruits or fruit products (such as raw date palm juice) contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats was the most likely source of infection.

Human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus has also been reported among family and care givers of infected patients.

Read: Doctor Debunks Five Myths Around Nipah Virus

Nipah Virus Symptoms

• Fever
• Headache
• Breathing difficulties
• Cough and sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Muscle pain and severe weakness

Black or forbidden rice, especially from Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya, has long been PM Narendra Modi's favorite superfood and experts say it has even more antioxidants than blueberries!

Registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, noted: "Black rice has been slow to cross over to places outside of Asia, but we are finally starting to understand its benefits as a healthy, appetizing and beautiful food."

Belonging to the species Oryza sativa, the rice refers to a type of heirloom rice that is used in traditional Chinese medicine and was once reserved only for the wealthy and powerful, which is why it's known as 'forbidden'.

Black rice may be long-grain, medium or short-grain. Grown on a small scale, this rice is not as common as white, brown and red rice and is primarily grown in India's Northeastern states, as well as West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Here are some of its health benefits:

1. Improves Eye Health

Research shows that black rice contains high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, two types of carotenoids that work as antioxidants to help protect your eyes from potentially damaging free radicals.

In particular, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to help protect the retina by filtering out harmful blue light waves, which are transmitted from all electronic devices as well as LED lamps. While it helps with alertness and mood during the day, excessive blue light exposure at night can suppress melatonin and disrupt sleep-wake cycles.

Previous research also suggests that black rice's high antioxidants may play an important role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. It may also decrease the risk of cataracts and diabetic retinopathy (a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes).

2. Helps With Blood Sugar Management

Black rice is especially beneficial for those suffering from Type 2 diabetes as antioxidants and phytochemicals can improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin. This helps the body to better use glucose, slows the rate at which the body absorbs sugar and lowers overall sugar levels in your blood.

3. Rich Source of Essential Nutrients

Black rice stands out among rice varieties due to its high protein content. In comparison to brown rice, which contains 7 grams of protein per 100 grams, black rice offers 9 grams. It is also a valuable source of iron, a mineral crucial for oxygen transport in the body.

A quarter cup (45 grams) of uncooked black rice provides:

Calories: 160

Fat: 1.5 grams

Protein: 4 grams

Carbohydrates: 34 grams

Fiber: 1 gram

Iron: 6% of the Daily Value (DV)

4. Reduces Oxidative Stress

High levels of oxidative stress have previously has been associated with an increased risk of several chronic conditions, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and certain forms of cancer.

5. Boots Heart Health

While research on black rice and heart health is ongoing, its high flavonoid has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Certain studies suggest that anthocyanins can improve cholesterol levels by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol. While further research is needed, early findings suggest black rice may help reduce plaque buildup in arteries, which can help prevent atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of heart attack.