More than 1,900 This Morning viewers complained to Ofcom over an interview aired last week.
On Friday, February 26, hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary welcomed doctor Michael Mosley onto the show who discussed a 800-calorie a day diet.
He said he is favour of the method as part of a 'rapid weight loss' programme and claimed studies have shown that consuming 800 to 1,000 calories a day can be 'safe and effective'.
But some This Morning viewers were outraged as the segment on 'how to lose the lockdown pounds' played out on ITV.
"Can't believe what I’m seeing. Encouraging people to adopt 'rapid weight loss' techniques before lockdown ends, to eat 800 calories a day and to wear tight trousers so you can tell when you’re starting to gain weight. Disgusting and damaging," one tweeted.
Another fumed: "This morning advertising an 800 calorie diet is ridiculous! You’ll lose weight in any kind of deficit, but advertising such a low calorie diet is dangerous #ThisMorning."
"Did @thismorning really promote an 800 calorie a day diet... This could be so damaging... Has upset me next level #ThisMorning," a third added.
A fourth complained: "Beyond appalled that #ThisMorning are conveying a message that eating 800 calories a day is ok, a toddler needs more than that! An extremely damaging message."
Ofcom has now confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that they received 1,932 complaints objecting to Dr Moseley’s promotional references to the 800 calorie weight loss diet.
It did not say if an investigation would be taking place. ITV has also been contacted for comment.
