Diet culture and the social media world is in a constant battle of what "diet" is best, fastest, the answer to all your problems. But in reality, it's an overall healthy balanced diet that wins.
When we set out to better our health, it's easy to fall victim to the diet world and the stringent rules that these diets place upon us. However time and time again, studies show that diets don't work.
Why Do Diets Fail?
The focus with eating should be on an overall lifestyle and habits. It's not about one meal, or even one season. Life changes, it brings ups and downs, crazy non stop and more calm days.
In order to get through, we need to let go a little and realize it's about what we do as a whole, not about one specific moment.
Putting rules on your eating, especially those that make you cut out things you love, will only cause you to crave them more and can end up in binging.
This is why we don't put rules on what we eat, and don't like to label ourselves. While we do focus on a plant rich diet, we also allow things we crave and love. Hence, balance.
A big reason that diets fail is that they don't focus on creating life long habits. The focus on results within a certain set of restrictions, but if those restrictions aren't how you want to live your life forever, then eventually you go back to what you enjoy.
What is a Healthy Balanced Diet
This term can mean something different to everyone. Which is another reason why we need to step away from stringent rules.
To us, this means that our foods consist of plant rich options, including all the macronutrients (fat, carbs and protein) but also allows for things we love that may or may not be nutrient rich.
I really like to listen to my body when it comes to food. If I focus on being present and purposeful, I am able to eat what it is I crave, which leaves me feeling satisfied.
One Size Fits All Doesn't Works
What one person may need is not necessarily what another person needs. Sure, we all can benefit from plant rich diets. However there is space for other foods.
My husband for instance cannot do any, or very little, animal based products in order to feel his best. His heart is affected quickly and his body just doesn't process them well.
I on the other hand cannot do any gluten. My body hates it and I immediately feel the inflammation all over.
So when we go out, I focus on avoiding one thing and he focuses on avoiding the other.
Balance is Key
So the main thing we decided to focus on was balance. Avoid what you know affects you negatively and then let go of the rest.
This also plays a huge role in our mental health. While some people may not have the mental health piece, we do. So avoiding rules and labels allows us to be at our best both physically and mentally.
This is the key to wellness. When your mental health is in balance you are able to reduce stress and approach any stress that comes your way without wreaking havoc in your body.
People tend to forget this part of wellness when focusing in diets and placing rules on themselves. While following a diet may help you achieve things like weight loss goals, the mental health toll and rise of stress will eventually counteract all that.
Follow Advice From Qualified Professionals
My number one piece of advice I can give, is follow the advice of those that are qualified to give it. There are so many people online that try to sell things, advise others and get you to believe what they preach is the answer.
I am not a medical doctor, I am not a dietician. I am an educator with a Master degree in education, and an undergraduate bachelors degree in psychology and biology.
I am qualified to teach you how to create amazing gluten-free and plant-based recipes. I can teach you how to make it simple and create meal systems that work.
However I cannot tell you what food does or doesn't work for your specific body.