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Forget the Food Fad

Tempted to try the latest, greatest nutrition fad? It seems SO tempting. Rapid weight loss. Easy to follow guidelines. But what’s the catch? About 45 million Americans go on a diet every year and spend billions of dollars on food and related products, yet 2 out of 3 of Americans are overweight or obese! What’s going on?

While there are some good concepts found in these diets such as encouraging fruits, vegetables, and whole (less processed) foods while reducing empty calories, there are some pitfalls.

The 6 Pitfalls:
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1) They are typically too low in calories causing low energy levels and hunger. This perpetuates a vicious cycle of deprivation, cravings, overeating, and guilt.

2) Weight lost is usually water, not fat.

3) They eliminate entire foods groups that have valuable nutrients.

4) They create a “bad” vs. “good” food mentality that leads to a negative relationship with food.

5) They are not specific to you, your life/fitness schedule, and what you like to eat.

6) Most importantly, they are all about the quick fix, not long-term healthy living. Most people end up back where they started – sometimes with even more weight to lose!

What’s a better plan? Log everything you eat/drink into MyFitnessPal for a few days – including a weekend day. You’ll see what foods have more calories, where you may be experiencing some “portion distortion” and how your nutrition compares to the recommended amounts. Take note of where you consume most of your calories. For example, are you eating too little at lunch and snacking all afternoon/evening? Maybe you are on track during the week and weekends are getting you out of balance? Better yet, visit the Registered Dietitian at your gym and let a professional help you reach your nutrition, health and fitness goals!

Reach out if you’re interested in connecting with a Registered Dietitian at Healthworks! They’re excited to help you get on the right track.

Photo Credit: Dean Hochman via Compfight cc

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