Low-fat diets are the way to go. Well, they were in the 80s and 90s until we figured out that we actually need some fats to be healthy and that low-fat foods tended to be high in sugar. Ok, so then the Atkins Diet, right? Nope, that actually harms your heart and kidneys over time. Ok, so Paleo? Detoxing? Gluten-free? Weightwatchers? Raw food? No? They’ve all been shown to be bad for you in the long run? Yikes.
American culture is saturated with diets. Everyone seems to want to lose weight but no one knows how to do it. Then we hear about this new miracle diet but, after a few years of research, that one ends up being discredited too, and we are back in the same cycle. It shouldn’t be this hard. And, honestly, it isn’t.
That new diet will likely kill you if you maintain it over time. That’s because American “diets” are seen as a course of action that restricts you from certain foods, but we’ve got it all wrong. Your diet is what you eat every day, not a temporary menu you try to stick with for a few months. Here’s why that new diet will likely kill you, and how you need to eat instead to be lean, healthy, and strong.
1. Dieting is temporary; a healthy diet is forever.
At any time, one in three Americans is on a specific, temporary diet to lose weight. Studies across research institutes have shown that they are in for a disappointing result. Even when temporary diets are successful, weight loss is usually regained within a few months, because these folks return to the same lifestyle they had before their diet. Nothing really changed. If you jog for one week, you’re not going to be prepared for a marathon in six months. You need consistency. This yo-yo of weight loss can also mess with your metabolism, energy, and sleep schedule, causing your body to feel out of whack for longer than you anticipated.
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2. Most dieting includes processed foods.
In a country where you can find fast food on almost every corner but a salad will cost you over $15, we are programmed for ease and convenience. Almost half of all American adults have one or more chronic illnesses due to poor eating habits. Half! That’s millions of people – take that in for a second. Why are we so unhealthy? Well, head to your local supermarket and take a look at everyone’s carts. We tend to load up on the easy stuff – frozen meals, sugar-packed products, and high-sodium sauces and snacks. Why are these things so bad? Well, prepared foods usually experience nutrient loss during processing, making them a lot of empty calories. The added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats that extend shelf life and flavors contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Most are also low in fiber, which is what regulates your blood sugar and keeps you feeling full. Instead, you get hungry an hour or two later and repeat the unhealthy cycle.
3. The U.S. allows additives that are banned in other countries.
Did you know that American Skittles, Arby’s, and Entenmann’s donuts have been linked to cancer-causing ingredients? And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The Food and Drug Administration, known as the FDA, offers a fast-track approval method called GRAS, which allows certain additives in our foods in small quantities. The problem is that these same additives are banned in places like Europe because there are clean and clear-cut studies that show they are carcinogenic, AKA cancer-causing. Such a break in our food management system goes to show how any diet – even if it sounds healthy – doesn’t have to be.
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4. The best diet is no diet. Hear me out on this one.
I am certainly not saying that you should go and eat whatever you’re craving; by the way, that is a real fad diet that is out there right now. I can’t with these fads. Anyway, the best diet is no diet means the healthiest way to eat and maintain a healthy weight is by eating simply. There are some good resources out there that break down the physical reasons for this, like In Defense of Food and The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan. By the way, if you’re looking to improve inside and out, you may also enjoy another post we posted called “8 Personal Development Books in Eight Minutes.”
Simply put, you want to eat balanced, simple whole foods, mostly greens, and mostly natural. This means sticking to the borders of your supermarket, which is usually fresh produce, some dairy, opting for fish and beans instead of meat on most occasions, and whole grains. An easy rule of thumb is that if it has an ingredient you can’t pronounce or don’t know about, don’t eat it. It should always have less than ten ingredients to begin with. Once you start understanding and noticing food labels, your understanding of healthy eating as a whole will change. Read up on what the human body needs and get moving daily, even if it’s just a short walk in your neighborhood. The most effective solutions are often the simplest ones – especially when it comes to our health.
Conclusion:
Before you try another fad diet or exercise plan, know that less is more. Keep your menu simple, keep foods whole and natural, and add physical exercise into your routine five extra minutes at a time. Slow and steady wins the race and also adds years to your lifespan. Stay focused and stay healthy out there.