Diets are alluring. They promise that if you eat the “good” foods and avoid the “bad” foods, you’ll lose weight. The truth is, most diets don’t work in the long term. They’re not sustainable and often result in weight gain over time. Here are a few reasons why diets aren’t effective and can sometimes be harmful to your body!
1. They are a form of starvation
Dieting deprives your body of nutrients and may even lower your metabolism. Your body will stop your non-essential systems, conserve fat, and produce chemicals that make you think about food. It can be frustrating, but it’s just your body trying to protect you.
2. They can result in harmful eating habits
Dieting changes your relationship with food. Instead of viewing food as something that can give you enough nutrients to enjoy your life, food becomes something you’re forbidden from eating or something you have to eat. Not only that, picking the “right” foods and staying away from the “forbidden” foods can be stressful. You may also crave “forbidden” foods so when you reintroduce them, your brain’s pleasure center will light up more than usual, which can lead to binge eating.
3. They are not sustainable
Studies show that 95 percent of people who dieted returned to their initial weight. And two-thirds of that 95 percent will gain more weight back than they lost! When you diet, you’ll face more resistance as you lose weight, and you’ll probably return to your previous weight when your body tries to correct itself.
4. They are bad for your mental health
Categorizing food as “good” or “bad” can result in an unhealthy relationship with food. Food is fuel and completely cutting out foods you love can result in unneeded stress. But if you end up adding those foods back into your life, you may overindulge. And overindulging can lead to feelings of guilt for not having enough willpower to stick to your diet. You have to learn that your diet won’t fail just because you skipped a day. It’ll fail because your body isn’t made for dieting.
Many diets encourage behaviors that may lead to an eating disorder. The National Eating Disorders Association has stated that 35 percent of dieters will progress to pathological dieting. Of that 35 percent, 20-25 percent will go on to develop an eating disorder.
5. Everyone is different
Diets don’t work because everyone’s different. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to eat! You know your body best. Try to focus on listening to its cues. Take the time to check-in and think about whether you’re full. If you realize you’re still hungry, eat more! If you realize you’re full, it’s okay to stop eating, even if you still have food left on your plate.
Want to find out more about intuitive eating? Contact me at happyhelenfitness@gmail.com today!