Are you thinking about going on a diet? Do you need to go on diet? A common reason for people contemplating a diet plan is for fat loss and a quick way to lose fat. However, just like an exercise session there has to be a structure for progress and a foundation built for healthy dietary habits. It is pointless to dive into any diet plan if you do not know exactly what you are currently consuming. How would you know therefore if a new diet is adequate?
The body requires a certain amount of calories to survive as well as consuming enough for daily activities.
A major reason why “diets or diet plans” don’t work in most cases, is that they provide no education nor promote longevity for healthier eating. When people stop a diet plan, they tend to put weight back on because no information has been provided about sustainable healthy eating.
There is a right way and a wrong way regarding nutritional improvements.
When someone says they are “going on a diet” it denotes coming off a diet at some point. There often lies the problem.
Instead it is better to create healthier and sustainable habits long term that provides your calorific needs and nutrients that the body requires.
Most diet plans pay little attention to a persons current/previous food habits. Which is a bit like being thrown into a swimming pool without any knowledge of knowing how to swim. There has to be a foundation in place from which to work from.
Diet plans
Purchasing a diet plan can be dangerous… as many fat loss diets fall below the basal metabolic rate meaning unsustainable. BMR is the calories needed to keep the body alive and functioning at rest.
Nutrition is all about providing the body with nutrients. A diet is simply a word used to describe what a person consumes whether healthy or not healthy. A “diet” does not necessarily mean healthy.
The first step is to know what is being consumed first. Then that is analysed to see what changes can/may be made. This engages a person as part of their improvement process rather than just buying something for a “quick fix” attempt. This first step invariably requires a food diary. This is a record of everything consumes (usually over a week) which then shows the starting point. Exactly where you are at.
Fat loss is a major reason for dietary focus but being underweight or malnourished can be other reasons.
In reality, most people who are needing a dietary change cannot sustain nor dive into a full on change of diet overnight. It requires a gradual approach and in many cases, behavioural change.
Ultimately, when education is provided about nutrition it provides the logic to why there are no quick fixes. There has to be a foundation to work from. Knowledge of current eating and drinking habits is important. A BMR reading and calculations taking into account your current/likely physical activity level, and a personalised plan of action long term… especially in relation to fat loss.