Here is part of an email I recently got from someone:
“What are your thoughts on a Paleo diet? My daughter has lost 70 pounds and thinks it’s the best thing ever. I just wonder what your thoughts are on that. Should I do the Mediterranean diet, should I do the Paleo diet, should I just try to eat a diet that is balanced and in line with the macros you taught? I’m feeling lost and confused.”
So what’s the best diet? The best Nutrition Coach’s will always say “it depends.” If the Coach doesn’t say this please run the other way. There are so many factors that influence the way you should eat: your medical history, medications, gender, diet history, hormones, blood sugar, gut health, stress, sleep, fitness routine, goals, etc. A good coach will take all of this info into account to make the best recommendations for you.
Truth: There is no one size fits all diet. And don’t you think if there was a magic diet or pill we wouldn’t have an obesity epidemic or a problem with keeping weight off? The best diet is one that fits your lifestyle and is sustainable. I personally don’t teach diets. I have my clients create awareness with their intake and work with them to establish behaviors that help them successfully improve their intake to support their goals. I always preach ALL FOODS FIT + nutrition common sense 🙂 This means that YES you can have a donut (or insert all foods fit/non-negotiable food) but you probably don’t want to have a dozen donuts every day (hopefully common sense).
There are sooooooo many diets out there. And they can work if they work for you. Meaning, is it sustainable long term? And does it work with your lifestyle (and not vice versa)? So if you’re doing a 30 day program, what happens on day 31? If you revert back to all of your previous habits and regain the weight the diet was not effective and the diet failed you (not the other way around). And what if you go out to eat, go on vacation, or want a piece of chocolate? Remember, a good “diet” will take this into account and you shouldn’t gain 5 pounds just because you had one night out with your favorites (friends and chips and margs for me of course).
Here’s my non-diet approach to helping people achieve their goals:
- All foods fit
- No one food makes you fat (just like no single workout will make you fit)- so if you like Carbs please include them
- Start with the basics + master these before adding anything complicated: protein, veggies, water, sleep
- Track your macros to create awareness. Awareness precedes change.
- Set appropriate expectations. You didn’t get where you are overnight. Results won’t happen overnight. I suggest a 6 month minimum to assess changes
- Work on changing behaviors that led you to where you are (emotional eating, over-exercising, never dealing with stress/trauma)
Some Nutrition Coach humor 😉
Credit @jasonphillipsnutrition
