Despite their popularity among dieters, one doctor has issued a stark warning against weight loss shakes, cautioning that they could "increase weight gain over time".

Dr Rupy Aujla delved into the world of dieting and weight loss in the latest episode of his podcast, The Doctor's Kitchen, where he addressed some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject, including the pros and cons of weight loss shakes. His advice was unequivocal: "Avoid them like the plague."

He elaborated: "They will give you a very short, sharp energy and calorie reduction that can massively reduce your basal metabolic rate."

This is the rate at which your body uses the energy provided by the food you eat.

Reducing this rate means that the body uses less energy from what you consume and stores more of it as fat, regardless of whether you're dieting or not.

Dr Rupy went on to explain: "Even if you go back to eating the same amount you were eating prior, because of the reduction you'll find yourself in a calorie excess which can lead to yo-yo dieting."

Rather than resembling a traditional yo-yo, Dr Rupy explained that yo-yo dieting tends to increase your weight due to these reductions in the metabolic rate.

This pattern is particularly common among people who are "chronic dieters" or frequently resort to crash diets.

The health expert issued a stark warning against certain diet aids, cautioning: "That's a situation which will increase weight gain over time. I would avoid weight loss shakes where you can."

Dr Rupy was even more critical of weight-loss shakes than fat-loss pills.

He clarified his stance on fat-burner pills, stating: "With the fat-burner pills, the dangers do not outweigh the benefits," yet he stopped short of endorsing them as a reliable method for sustained and effective weight reduction.

Instead, he advocated for increasing protein consumption and using fibre supplements, alongside products containing both fibre and caffeine.

The doctor even suggested enjoying a cup of coffee before a workout to amplify the results.