What are the steps to be taken in order to prevent a deficiency in nutrition, while one is on a diet?

The low protein content in fad diets and fasting for prolonged periods of time could lead to nutritional deficiencies. Fad diets, which work on the premise that one needs to eat only fruits and no cereals or ones that say that only rice and vegetables are required, can cause a heavy damage. If these diets are followed for more than three to four weeks, the body is compelled to break down upon its own lean tissue. As a result the dispensable protein in the hair and the skin are the first ones to be affected. I would suggest that one should include good sources of proteins like ‘paneer’, sprouts, pulses and soya bean in diet. In fact, soya bean contains the entire chain of amino acids, which is similar to the egg protein. The other foods like sprouts and dals have to be combined with other elements in order to provide the required amount of protein. Minerals and vitamin supplements like zinc, vitamin B, calcium and iron are also essential for the body.