Let’s talk about the reasons why I am an anti-diet advocate in more detail, and why diets don’t work.
Most of us have been on a diet at some point.
Most of us feel like we’ve failed at dieting.
It’s been said that 95% of people fail at dieting.
When we restrict nutrients that our bodies need, we get cravings. Your body’s main energy source, and the fastest energy liberating source is carbohydrates and sugars. When your body needs fuel you will crave these foods. This is a sign that your body isn’t getting what it needs. And what it needs isn’t simple carbs and sugar!
It’s important to mention this again [I mention this a lot], restricting foods, food groups, and categories of foods from your diet takes away important fuel sources.
Over time this leads to nutrient insufficiency and deficiency. And this can cause a variety of symptoms and health problems due to imbalances that develop in your body.
If you’re not in a state of deficiency, you can still have symptoms and health problems with insufficiency of nutrients and this doesn’t show up in your lab tests so you won’t feel well yet your Dr. can’t find anything wrong.
You’re healthy diet that restricts foods, good groups and categories of foods may be why you’re not meeting your health goals, and what’s causing the symptoms and health problems you’re experiencing.
We are led to believe that certain foods, food groups, and categories of food are the enemy and we become fearful of eating them which leads to disordered eating habits and eating disorders. This applies to any diet that removes foods, food groups and categories of foods.
There are a variety of adverse effects from dieting and the list here is just a small sample.
For example your cravings arise due to low blood sugar levels, and this can create mood swings, issues with concentration and memory, and even anxiety. And of course your body needs nutrients to make energy.
Dieting actually can make you gain weight and for more than one reason. Because you are nutrient and fuel deprived you will crave foods (calorie dense carbs) and end up overeating. Also when your body isn’t nourished your metabolism slows down and your body will start hoarding rather than burning. Your body also will not be able to maintain muscle mass so your body composition will be more unfavorable (less lean body mass/muscle mass and more fat mass).
Again, your body runs off of nutrients found in foods you eat. Those nutrients are the building blocks for everything down to the cellular level including neurotransmitters and hormones which regulate your mood, stress, and sleep.
Do you find yourself thinking about food all the time? That means your body needs fuel, it needs nourishment!
What to eat has gotten very confusing. There are entire industries (diet and fitness industries are examples) that make millions off of this confusion. If we’re confused, we need their help, and that help can come with a hefty price and broken promises.
So when you can’t stay on your diet because you start having issues like these, it certainly is not your fault!
Your body was not meant for this type of abuse!
So rather than saying 95% of people fail at their diet attempts, the truth is diets fail us 95% of the time because they promote an unattainable and false ideal!
For questions, or if you’re ready to get started with next steps on your health journey to nourish your body and beat your symptoms and health problems, book your introductory consultation with me!
If you’re a self started who doesn’t need much handholding, my Online Gut Restore Program is for you! It address all 3 of the common reasons I see nutrients missing, which leads to imbalances followed by symptoms and chronic health problems.