(1) Weakness, headache, nausea, mood swings, dizziness, fainting, stomach cramps and gastric problems. In the worst scenario, some people can get stomach ulcers if they follow this plan for a prolonged period of time.

(2) A general drop in their metabolic rate making it more difficult to lose weight. A faster metabolism is important for weight loss.

(3) An increase in hunger pangs and food cravings. Depriving your body of food and not feeding it properly can potentially lead to a massive food intake afterwards. Many people can't bear this after some time and they will binge on anything and everything or their favorite foods to relieve their hunger pangs. The end result is more weight gain.

The starvation mode is not safe and healthy. Forget about caloric abstinence and bypass the 1 or 2 meals a day if you want to lose weight. You won't reach your weight loss goals by eating "like a bird". Generally most people will eat 3 meals a day but 4-6 meals is preferable. If you want to know why the 6 meals a day weight loss plan is good for losing weight, read on. There are several reasons why this diet plan is recommended.

(1) Increase energy levels - regular eating intervals provide a sustained release of energy and inhibit insulin spike and crash while maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Focus more on whole foods instead of processed ones. You'll need energy to get the maximum out of your workouts and being on a starvation diet will be disastrous to your stamina.

(2) Reduce hunger pangs - by eating 6 meals a day spaced out every 2-3 hours, you'll keep hunger pangs at bay and there will be no more binging here and there to alleviate hunger. There won't be any urge to indulge in food cravings as well. You might be shocked to hear how you can lose weight with 6 meals a day but it's possible. Don't stress over the number. Those 6 meals will be in small portions. This is crucial. An apple with a few almonds is still considered a meal or a great weight loss snack. The key is to choose the right kinds of foods ie healthy, low in calories, have fat-burning properties but which can keep you satiated. Focus more on complex carbs like wholegrain oats and wholemeal bread, lean protein like chicken breast and fish, vegetables like broccoli, green beans and asparagus, healthy fats like almonds, olive oil and flaxseed oil. Don't forget to drink water and eat some fruits too like apples, strawberries and blueberries. And notice the timing and frequency which is every 2-3 hours vital for losing weight.

If you want an exhaustive list of fat-burning foods and delicious recipes which you can implement in your weight loss plan, I highly recommend Metabolic Cooking. Packed with effective cooking tips and tricks and healthy nutrition advice, Dave Ruel and Karine Losier will give you a solid foundation to achieve long-term weight loss. Why torturing your body through starvation diet when you can enjoy life and eat tasty weight loss meals? It doesn't get any better than this.

(3) Prevent fat storage - the 6 meals a day weight loss plan can actually prevent fat storage. Most people eat 3 meals a day but tend to eat quite a lot in a single meal particularly during dinner when they have more time. This is a big mistake. Our bodies can only assimilate a certain amount of calories per sitting and the rest will be stored as fat. Furthermore, these big meals consist of a great amount of carbs. Carbs are usually converted into glucose and stored in our glycogen stores(sugar cells) to provide energy. The downside with too much carbs is the glycogen stores can only store a limited amount of sugars and the rest will result in fatty deposits. Adopting the 6 meals a day approach will ensure you limit your carb intake for dinner, hence you prevent fat storage. Anyway, we don't need that much energy at this point in time.

(4) Elevate your metabolism - adhering to the 6 meals a day weight loss plan and eating at regular intervals will boost your metabolism and kick your fat burning furnace into high gear. A faster metabolism will allow your body to process food faster to convert into energy. This is very beneficial in burning more fat even when inactive. On the other hand, a sluggish metabolism can make you more prone to fat storage.

Don't compromise your health by going through the starvation mode and without gaining any weight loss benefits. Make foods your friend and not your enemy by knowing what to eat, how to eat and when to eat. Feeding your body with valuable nutrients is the key to losing weight coupled with a regular exercise regimen like cardio training and weight lifting. This is the healthiest way to lose weight by far but patience and discipline are fundamental to achieve your goals.