“It’s called the Marshmallow Diet,” my friend Trish informed me as we stood in her kitchen. “You just eat one bag of marshmallows throughout the day, and that’s it.”

I stared at her in disbelief.

“How can that possibly work?”

Apparently, the sugary white fluff is supposed to expand in your stomach, making you feel full. That’s what my friend claimed, at least. For about 10 seconds, I seriously considered trying the Marshmallow Diet, until my brain’s common sense kicked in. Plus, I don’t even like marshmallows that much.

Later that day, I got to thinking about crazy diets and weight loss. We go to ridiculous lengths in order to drop a few pounds, and for what? To fit into those jeans? To look great in a bikini?

I couldn’t help but wonder: How far is too far?

Just this week, I learned of a new extreme one that’s far worse that the Marshmallow Diet: The Feeding Tube Diet. It’s exactly what it sounds like. A person sticks a tube up his or her nose, receiving just 800 calories per day in a desperate attempt to lose weight. This tiny tube goes through the nose and straight to the stomach, sending protein, fat and water. And absolutely no carbs.

According to a New York Times article, this route to thinness is used “casually” in Italy and Spain. That’s right, casually. Imagine girls walking down Green Street with tubes stuck up their noses. It’s far-fetched, but if it can happen in Europe, then surely the trend can gain popularity here.

This is an issue that hits home. Ever since middle school, I’ve struggled with body image issues, constantly trying to control my weight. I count calories, work out every single day and strictly regulate my intake of the forbidden foods: cookies, cake, candy and anything else with skyrocketing sugar counts. Frosting is my all-time favorite treat; I haven’t consumed it without feeling guilty in years.

“You always eat so healthy,” people tell me. “Salad for dinner, again?”

Yes, salad is my dinner almost every night. Boring, boring salad. I just can’t allow myself the satisfaction of a greasy slice of pizza or French fries, let alone anything else that would disrupt my daily caloric intake.

However, there’s a fine line between calorie control and feeding tubes. These extreme techniques are taking things too far.

And, what’s more, they don’t provide long-term results. Jeanette Andrade, graduate assistant at McKinley Health Center and registered dietician, said they are simply a quick fix. “Fad diets don’t work,” she said. “They don’t teach you how to eat properly.”

Marshmallows certainly don’t reflect appropriate eating habits. A bag of them is as nutritional as a doorknob. Still, fad diets like this are taking over. Don’t forget about the Hollywood Cookie Diet, the Cabbage Soup Diet and the Baby Food Diet. The list goes on and on.

“It’s hard to say how many students on campus are trying these diets,” Andrade said. “I do think it’s rampant, but it’s with the students who aren’t coming to us. People don’t come into McKinley and announce that they’re on a fad diet.”

The bottom line is this: Fad diets fail. Maybe it worked for one girl who was trying to slim down before spring break. Or maybe it worked for someone who needed to lose weight to fit into a certain dress. But the results of these diets are temporary, and the weight will always come back.

I know how it feels to look in the mirror and cringe. I’ve been there. But resorting to a feeding tube is dangerous and is not going to bring you anything but hunger pangs and strange looks.

Are fad diets really worth the emotional and physical pain? Will losing 5 pounds in a few days truly bring you happiness?

I think not.

Melanie is a freshman in Media.