Fad diets often come with a long list of forbidden foods, which can be psychologically challenging and unnecessary. These diets can lead to a rebound effect where people end up gaining back the weight they lost. One recent example is the lectin-free diet, which suggests avoiding foods rich in lectins, such as beans, lentils, peanuts, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, whole grains, oats, corn, and even fruit. However, lectins are found in many nutritious foods that are beneficial for health, reducing the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Cooking these foods reduces and deactivates lectins, making them safe to eat. The research on the dangers of lectins is limited, and some studies even suggest potential health benefits, such as antioxidant and cancer-fighting properties. For most people, there's no need to avoid these healthy foods. If you have a specific health condition, like an autoimmune disorder, it might be worth trying dietary changes to see if they help. But for the general population, nutritious foods like beans and squash are not a problem.