There are plenty of diets that have come up over the years and all over the internet. But, let’s be honest. No one cares about how many diets are out there, the only thing people want to know is which diets ACTUALLY work.
Here’s the thing, not everything works for everyone because we’re all different. So, how can you tell whether a diet is going to work for you or not?
Here are 3 questions to ask to find out if the diet will work for you:
1. Does it allow you to eat the foods you love?
How happy do you think you’ll be if you’re not allowed to eat your favourite foods? A healthy diet is not about being forbidden to eat the foods you love. If you enjoy your carbs but the diet says “no carbs” how realistic will it be for you to stick to it?
A diet that excludes the foods you enjoy isn’t a diet that will be enjoyable for you. If the diet isn’t enjoyable for you, then it won’t be sustainable for you either. And if it’s not sustainable, it’s only a matter of time before you give up and feel like you’ve failed. Then you’ll head down the spiral of beating yourself up over it – which is not healthy for you. The truth is, you didn’t fail, but because the diet wasn’t right for you, it made it feel like you did.
2. Does it fit your lifestyle?
Our lifestyle affects the way we eat. There are many factors that impact our lifestyle and the type of diet we are able to achieve and maintain. For example, family, living arrangements, work, the way you commute to work and kids are all just SOME of the things that can impact your lifestyle and thus the right diet for you.
I have met people who were cooking three different meals at dinner because they were trying to follow a diet while preparing different meals for other people in their family. That’s a lot of prep, time and stress just to follow a certain diet! Unfortunately, not only is that difficult but it doesn’t always support your social health with the family either.
3. Does it meet your nutritional needs?
Our bodies need to be fed and nourished well to work effectively. If we don’t have the nutrients we need, our bodies cannot function properly and we won’t feel well. Some diets will ask you to remove core food groups or even remove foods altogether. If you regularly do not have enough of the nutrients your body needs, your body will become malnourished. Moreover, everyday tasks will be harder than before and every aspect of your health – your mental, social and physical wellbeing – will also suffer. Ensuring your diet provides your everyday nutrient needs is essential to stay healthy.
Is it the right diet for YOU?
If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, then it’s a sure thing that the diet you are thinking of trying will not work for you.
A diet that works for you is a diet that includes the food you love, fits your lifestyle, and meets your nutritional needs.
If you are missing any of these in your diet, not only will you be unable to stick to it, it is also not healthy for you either.
It’s not easy to find the perfect diet on your own, but with the right support, you can enjoy yummy food and good health.
If you’re struggling to find the balance between yummy food and optimizing your health, email perri@bbchiro.com.au, to find out how we can support and help you to achieve your health goals.
Perri Yiu, Dietitian