Fad diets are making a concerning comeback as Australians seek quick-fix solutions to achieve their health goals this year, according to a new survey by leading nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal. In fact, close to one in three (32%) Aussies are looking to adopt a restrictive approach to their nutrition in 2025, despite almost three in four (71%) having tried a fad diet in the past.

Extreme low-calorie diets (42%), skipping meals (41%) and the raw food diet (18%) topped the list of the most popular fad diets Australians are likely to try. Meanwhile, novelty diets of the past including juice cleanses (6%), the baby food diet (5%), the grapefruit diet (4%), and the eggs and wine diet (3%), are set to make a resurgence in 2025.

According to the research, fad diets are pervasive across the country, with Tasmania (64%), Northern Territory (39%) and South Australia (35%) most likely to restrict themselves, which will continue to see many prioritise unrealistic standards of perfection over a healthier and more balanced approach to their goals.

The new data reveals how Aussies' diet habits continue to follow an unsustainable trend of deprivation and restrictive eating, with over four in ten (41%) admitting to fasting and 26% having resorted to intermittent meal skipping in the past. One in ten (10%) also report having resorted to meal replacement and formula diets before.

Against the backdrop of extreme dieting, Australians are also searching for other ways to cut out food groups. Currently, nearly half of Australians (49%) are planning to cut specific foods out of their diet this year, including sweets and sugar (73%), fast food (55%), carbs (43%), Australian classics (33%), like meat pies and sausage rolls, and fats (31%), such as oil and butter.

Nutritionist and MyFitnessPal ambassador, Michaela Sparrow said; “while Aussies plan to prioritise health and fitness in 2025, it’s clear that many are still falling into the common trap of setting unachievable goals. Instead of taking a hard and fast approach to cutting out specific foods, it's important to focus on balance and consistency over time, tracking daily nutrition and making small adjustments to stay on track towards meaningful, lasting changes.”

Free and confidential support is available via phone, email and online chat for anyone in Australia affected by an eating disorder or body image issue, including family and supports.