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Low-fat isn’t always good for you—this is only one of the three reasons why I don’t diet. Keep reading to learn more!
I. Don’t. Diet. I know many chronic dieters, however.
The ones who find some sort of new trend to follow every year: pills, cleanses, all protein, no fat, Paleo, and gluten-free (yes, for some going gluten-free is a necessity and for others it’s the latest and greatest diet thing since sliced rice bread), and so many others.
Some adopt a new diet program for health reasons, and others in a desperate (and hopefully easy) attempt to lose weight.
In our house we thought my husband might have to adopt a new diet since being diagnosed with diabetes in late 2012. Turns out, after some research and reading on my part, our diet didn’t have to change much at all.
Sure, when he drinks a soda it’s a diet (although I believe he could have one made with real sugar and probably be okay).
But all the changes we were preparing to make… Removing sugar? Limiting carbs? We haven’t had to do any of it.
We eat sensibly here in our house.
And, by “sensibly” I certainly don’t mean we never have sweets. Or that we’re all organic all the time. Or even that we always eat brown rice and whole wheat pasta.
Hey, remember? I’m a foodie with a cooking blog.
You guys see what we eat for dinner and dessert a lot, especially if you’re following me on Instagram or Facebook.
There’s no special trick to being healthy, or to staying at a happy weight. We just watch our portions, and try to eat well-balanced, colorful, unprocessed, from-scratch meals as much as possible.
Point is, when people use the word “diet” they aren’t typically talking about a lifestyle change.
Most diets aren’t setting you up for a long term way of eating that will work towards your body’s advantage, both in fat burning and metabolism.
Plus? Exercise is important!
You don’t have to run marathons, but you do have to get your heart pumpin’ every now and again.
Here are the three reasons I don’t diet:
1. Diets aren’t usually about a lifestyle change.
They’re often an attempt at a quick fix, and usually makes them unsustainable. How can you expect to lose weight, get healthy and/or feel good if it’s short-lived?
2. Diets are not practical.
I’m a foodie.
I like to eat what I want, when I want. I’m not talking about gorging, but there’s nothing more frustrating than going out to eat with someone who’s on a voluntary diet (i.e., not related to food allergies) and won’t join in on the yumminess.
3. Diets are often not really helping the weight-loss cause, nor are they very healthy.
Your body was made to absorb vitamins from food. But, that only works if you’re eating a wide variety of fruits, veggies, fats and protein.
And, those “low calorie” drinks, snacks and frozen meals? Well, they can actually make you more hungry, and make it more difficult to lose weight.
Marketers and lobbyists are smart and they’re good at their jobs. Many people believe chemical-laden processed “low calorie” foods are actually better for them than the real deal and a healthier option. (Um, no. Google obesogens.).
Eat the real stuff, people. Whole food does a body good.
