Since the beginning of this year, there has been increasing talk in the Turkish media about the date and yogurt diet as a quick way to lose excess weight.

Turkish doctor Inder Saraç contributed to the spread of this diet, who made successive statements in a number of newspapers, in which he described the date and milk diet as "the fastest to lose weight."

In February, a report by the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah noted the effective role of this type of diet in dissolving belly fat.

The report quoted Sarach as saying that the date and yogurt diet is one of his most preferred types of diets, because of its ability to help people lose weight quickly. "Despite the harshness of this diet, it has an amazing effect on dissolving belly fat," he said.

He considered that the high fiber content of dates makes this diet also suitable for those suffering from indigestion and constipation problems.

In May 2022, Yeni Akit newspaper published a report that also highlights Sarach's recommendation to follow this diet to lose excess weight quickly, stressing that it is intended for one week only, and that its repetition needs an interval of several weeks.

Dates and yogurt diet lacks important nutrients for the body, including protein and carbohydrates (Getty Images)

Losing 7 kilograms in a week

According to Sarač, some bodies may respond effectively to the date and yogurt diet, losing up to 7 kilograms per week.

"When you follow this diet for 7 days without interruption, you can lose at least 5 to 7 kilograms, making sure to walk for 40 minutes a day," he said.

This diet is applied for one week only, during which the person gets 3 meals a day, each meal consists of 7 dates and a cup of yogurt.

Sarach advises that people who follow this diet get 10 or 12 glasses of water a day, taking care to drink unsweetened green tea, or any kind of herb without added sugar.

Warnings and Damage

For her part, nutritionist Najwan Mahmoud warned of the dangers of diets that deprive the body of most nutrients, although she pointed out that the date and milk diet can indeed cause rapid weight loss.

She says to Al Jazeera Net that "the diet of dates and milk lacks important nutritional components for the body, including protein and carbohydrates, and in the case of doing it, the period of follow-up must not exceed 5 days."

She adds that such diets are "possible, but in very limited and measured circumstances", including addressing the problem of weight stability in people who are already on weight-loss diets.

The resort to the diet of dates and yogurt should be in very limited and measured conditions (Shutterstock)

Najwan stressed the high risks of such diets if they are followed during the month of Ramadan.

She explains that dry fasting during the month of Ramadan needs diets that provide the body with all the elements it needs and compensate for the long hours of fasting.

She pointed out that the dates and milk diet "is not suitable for patients with type I and II diabetes," and stressed the importance of consulting a nutritionist before following harsh diets.