Raise your hand if are on a diet or have ever been on a diet? Don’t be ashamed. My hand is raised. Over the course of my life, I have tried a number of diets to try to achieve specific results at one time or another. But as you and I both know through trial and error, diets don’t work. If they did the weight loss industry wouldn’t be raking in billions on weight loss products.
No, you can’t eat that.
Does it feel good to hear that? Most people would say no. The concept of a diet in itself is super restrictive and marks people with a scarlet letter. It makes people feel shame for the foods they love and enjoy which is super counter-intuitive to how the body actually works. News flash — if you’re craving a certain food, there might be a hormonal imbalance your body is trying to stabilize. Try not to jump on the diet plan bandwagon when your body starts working against you. Instead, try listening to and working with your body to learn what is working and what isn’t.
Diet plans to avoid —
Fat-free diet plans
Low-Protein diet plans 👈 What?! Madness!
Sweet ‘n Low diet plans
Calorie counting diet plans
Eat less, workout more diet plans
— so why should you avoid diet plans? Diet plans, as we mentioned above, are super restrictive. Not only to you and the foods you choose but to the amount of nutrients you allow the body to receive. All foods are categorized into 3 macronutrient groups. Protein, fat and carb and each group has a very specific caloric profile.
1 gram of protein = 4 calories
1 gram of fat = 9 calories
1 gram of carbs = 4 calories
When manipulating your caloric intake by restricting yourself from or to certain foods you create an imbalance in the body that will cause the body to react adversely due to a lack of nutritional content. The body needs vitamins, minerals and fibers to function — it cannot be restricted to a simple few foods. This is one of the reasons, diet plans are not sustainable long term. The body needs foods from the 3 groups!
Diets are not a one-size-fits-all
Have you noticed that every month, you can find so many best selling diet books that promise eternal weight loss! How come? We should all ask ourselves: Who created this diet? Why? Did it work for the author? Does he assume it will work for everyone? What the dieting fine print doesn’t tell you is that diets won’t work for everyone. Not everyone will find success. It’s literally impossible. Each person has different genetic dispositions and a completely different list of contributing factors that have the ability to affect emotional, mental and physical health. Factors such as stress, work, sleep, romantic relationships, exercise, spirituality, etc. All of these factors play a huge role. When it comes to weight, nutrition and health are not one-size-fits-all.
The best way to identify what will work best for you is to get to know yourself and lay the foundation for what works and doesn’t work. Really try tuning out anything you may have heard will work and take your own personal experience with yourself as truth. The next step would be to get with a professional that specializes in Nutrition and can take a holistic approach to your journey.
Stay tuned for the Why diets don’t work Part 2, there is so much more to say about this important topic!
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