Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A starvation diet involves reducing food intake drastically — often to less than 1,200 calories per day — in an attempt to lose weight quickly.
Related terms
Crash Dieting: This refers to making sudden and drastic changes in eating habits for quick weight loss. Like crashing into a wall during a race because you didn’t pace yourself properly.
Fasting: Fasting means voluntarily going without food for varying lengths of time. It’s akin to taking pit stops during long drives, but in this case, you're giving your digestive system a break.
Yo-yo Dieting: This is the cycle of losing weight and then regaining it, over and over again. It's like being on a yo-yo where you go down (lose weight) and then come right back up (gain weight).