Written By: Nutrition Coach Mairead
When someone wants to make some changes to be healthier or lose weight, they often start thinking about going on a diet. Finding the next best way to eat seems like a never-ending goal!
Somewhere along the line, people started to not like the word diet anymore – so now we often hear those same rules from diets re-branded as “lifestyle changes”. Talk about confusing! If there was one perfect way of eating that worked for everyone, promoted perfect health, and was something you could sustain for the long term, don’t you think we’d all be doing it?
Here’s why we don’t use fad diets in our Nutrition Coaching at Degree:
1. We know nutrition is not one-size-fits all! General nutrition recommendations are like scarves – generally the same scarf can fit most people. This is the basics like eating your veggies, including proteins, and drinking enough water. More specific recommendations are like jeans – you have to find the ones that are meant for your body. From the foods you like, to any specific dietary needs, to how much you need to eat, everyone’s needs are different. Fad diets don’t always take that into account.
2. Speaking of how much you need to eat, we also know that fad diets tend to be really restrictive! Yes, weight loss is usually caused by a calorie deficit, meaning we’re eating less than the calories we’re burning. But undereating for a long time can actually slow that metabolism down a lot – probably not quite what you’re looking for! Making sure we’re meeting your needs while adjusting for your goals will keep you healthy in the long-term.
3. Fad diets usually aren’t very sustainable! If you’ve ever tried a diet and found that you could keep it up for 3 weeks but then “fell off the bandwagon”, you’ve seen this in action. This has nothing to do with your willpower, and everything to do with not eating enough, diets not accounting for real life situations, or not being able to eat your favourite foods.
So what can we do instead? Let’s focus on some habits!
I help clients find those habits they can incorporate into their life for the long-term. When I say long-term, I don’t mean a few weeks or months. I mean years!
If you want to reach your goals and keep that success, we’ve got to be thinking that far ahead.
We also adjust those habits for real life. This means not expecting we’ll be perfect all the time, allowing in favourite foods and knowing there will be special events. Having a coach with you every step of the way means you always know you’re on the right track!
If you’re ready to learn more about Degree’s Nutrition Programs, let’s chat!
Email Mairead and book your FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat to find out how we can help you change your life!
