07/23/2021
If it sounds too good to be true, in nutrition and diet...it very likely is. Look for health, nutrition or diet information on the internet and you can be instantly overwhelmed. Conflicting claims, unverified hype, "experts" easily confuse the issue. There are no magic pills or foods that burn fat, help you lose weight while you sleep or alter metabolism.
So, what are some tips for weeding through all of the diet plan, pills, and product claims? Here are some dietary red flags....
1) Includes promises of rapid, unhealthy and unrealistic weight loss. Losing weight too quickly leads to loss of water and muscle in many cases and increases the chances of regaining lost pounds plus.
2) Requires skipping meals or limits foods, food groups or macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins). It is hard to stick to a very restrictive, monotonous way of eating, you'll miss out on some important nutrients and it fosters an unhealthy relationship with food.
3) Using their products to achieve your goals. Eating should not be expensive or complicated. It should also be based on real foods easily available to us all.
4) Rigid menus/lengthy tracking. This just seems monotonous and overwhelming. Tracking for a short time can provide useful info but spending every meal entering info into a tracker for extended time is counterproductive.
5) No need for activity. Activity that you enjoy is essential for overall health and well being. It also assists with weight loss maintenance.
With any new method of eating, ask yourself "Can I eat this way for the rest of my life? Is is sustainable, does it support a healthy relationship with food?" If the answer is yes, fantastic!!! If the answer is no, skip it.
Environmental Nutrition August 2021
Eatright.org April 2021
