Popular Diets
There’s always a lot of talk going around about the latest diet. It usually starts with “New research has shown…” and then goes on to tout the wonderful benefits of eating only some previously unheard of vegetable for three weeks straight. The truth is, there is no magical formula diet that will help everyone be healthy and lose weight and have super strength. Diet is a very individual thing. Of course, there are some basics that everyone should work towards.
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Eat the right amount of calories to balance the energy you consume with the energy you use. If you’re trying to lose weight, this balance needs to tip in the direction of consuming fewer calories.
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Whole grains are a better choice than processed grains, and are higher in fiber.
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Eat lots of fruits and vegetables – the goal is about 5 servings a day.
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Eat lean proteins – less red meat, more fish.
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Cut down on saturated fat and sugar – especially sugary beverages.
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Eat less salt.
Obviously this is very simplified, but these are an excellent starting place. Most people do well for a couple items on the list, but not so good for others. This just helps outline some areas for improvement.
Some of the fad diets that have come and gone in the past really emphasize one or two points, but are overall not a balanced and sustainable diet. For example, the Keto Diet is high in fats, moderate in proteins and very low in carbs. This is great for avoiding sugars and processed carbohydrates, but not great for avoiding saturated fats and doesn’t address the fiber or overall calorie intake.
Most importantly, you have to find a healthy balance that works for YOU. If it isn’t something you can sustain, then it won’t help you long term.
If you have any questions, feel free to schedule an appointment for further discussion of how to work towards an individualized, balanced, nutritious, and sustainable diet.
