FREEDOM FROM DIETING

Why weight loss, dieting never seems to stick? because we keep looking in the wrong place to solve our food and body obsession.

Diet is not about restriction, crashing intake of specific food groups or about eating only dictated foods. Diet is simply what nourishes the body.

Many peoplle think that" dieting" will keep their eating and weight in control. That they need these rules and some kind of structure to keep them eating right or eating healthy or" eating slim" and they think that giving up" dieting" will make them feel out of control and all over the place. But it's actually quite the opposite: dieting keeps you captive and, while it gives the illusion of control and freedom, there's nothing empowering about it.

When you're caught up in the dieting mindset, you spend a tremendous amount of mental energy on what you should eat, what you shouldn't eat, how much, when, etc. Most often we are oppressed and preoccupied with food.

In mindful eating you're free from obsessing about food. This not only gives you more energy to enjoy life and health but you also learn to welcome your hunger, enjoy what you eat, feel satisfied, and you're ready to move on with your day. Mindful eating gives you the freedom to be fully present to your routine life, without being chained to calorie counts, diet foods or other forms of restrictions.

A diet for most people today is about controlling your appetite or avoiding certain foods. So, you might want a certain food, but you're going to use your control to stop yourself from having it. You're only going to eat the foods that are okay. But sooner or later, you'll have a rough day or you'll be at a party, and you'll turn to the very foods you've been avoiding. You'll lose control, and find yourself overeating and feeling guilty. 

Today, food that has been your culture and tradition is your enemy. There's always a struggle you versus some food. Eating mindfully is all about breaking this struggle. Pay attention to your hunger cues, and decide to eat when you're hungry. You decide what foods feel good. Eating is supposed to be sensible not reckless, of course. Mindful eating does not mean eating whatever you want, whenever you want. It means eating the right foods, at the right time and when needed by the body. So, eat what you're hungry for when you're hungry. Use your internal cues so you're making decisions based on what's best for you physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Diet is an act of nurturing and taking care of oneself. Think about what really nourishes your body and weight loss or health will follow.

Be free from" dieting. Don't go" on or off" the diet wagon. Nourish your way to health, don't let it be a controlled and suppressed journey.

There are two freedoms from dieting- the false, where you are free to eat whatever you want and the true, where you are free to eat what you ought.

IS YOUR HEALTHY EATING BECOMING UNHEALTHY?

Orthorexia is a very newly coined term. What it actually means is a desire to eat pure, clean and healthy which has gone too far. It’s when a desire to eat right totally takes over someone’s life – leading to anxiety, guilt, self-judgment and often social isolation. It's the excessive preoccupation with avoiding foods perceived to be unhealthy.

I see that a mild for of this obsession is pretty much become the norm today. Every other person is talking about how they eat only "fat free" or "sugar free" or that they are following the gluten free trend or the low carb diet. People’s tendency to label foods as good and bad or demarcation of the time of day as good and bad time to eat is further proof of the matter. Our view on health without emphasizing the pleasures and enjoyment of food, and glamorising of certain foods as  “miracle” foods, are taking us away from our traditional,  healthy eating habits as well.

Now, know that just because you’ve decided to go low carb, try a detox diet or follow a strict eating regimen, doesn’t mean you have orthorexia. The problem is when your eating becomes increasingly restrictive, you get addicted to the weighing scale or shopping only from the "health food isle" at the supermarket which starts to negatively impact your self-worth, happiness and well-being. It's almost like an obsessive compulsive preoccupation.

If your so called healthy eating has become unhealthy, reach out to a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian can help reduce these food fears and create an approach to eating that is flexible, practical, less restricted and pleasurable.

WHY MUST WE NOT "DIET"?

The Low Carb Diet, The Blood Group Diet, The Low Fat Diet, The Fruit And Vegetable Diet, The Cabbage Soup Diet, The Baby Food Diet……
With so many fad diets in the health market, you'd think that the weight loss issue could get solved and you’d go ahead and choose the diet of your choice according to what Mrs. So and So highly recommended to you!!!
With so many choices, my clients think it crazy when I give them my “Eat Well and Still Lose Weight Diet”!
Well, diets may seem attractive, their guarantees may seem believable, and the before-and after-pics may get you exited enough to rush to that slimming center or that celebrity nutritionist that also your friend swears by. But let's get one thing straight, any diet that restricts calories will make you lose weight on the scale – sure - but the real task is keeping the lost weight from yo-yoing back. This can only be achieved if you combine a well-balanced diet with an exercise routine. Just sitting and munching on that diet khakhra or slimming tea won't work.
To understand this it is necessary to understand the important nutrients that we more than often demonize in the name of “Diet”.
1. Carbohydrates- Today Carbs are considered as the major evil that causes weight gains. However we seem to forget that this nutrient is a major source of fuel for our bodies, as well as our brains. We must include complex carbohydrates like starches and fibre in our diet. But definitely, stick to unprocessed forms of carbohydrates such as whole grains, whole grain bread, oats, beans, pulses etc, to get the most from this food group. Also understand, carbohydrates are a source of sustained energy.
2. Proteins- Oh! The all protein, high protein diets will never fade. Protein provides your body with the raw material it needs for tissue growth, repair and maintenance. Under certain conditions, such as during exercise, protein can be broken down to be used for energy as well. But also know that proteins can never be stored. Stick with leaner sources such as egg whites, low fat dairy products, chicken breast, pulses, nuts etc.
3. Fats- Eat fat and you'll get fat -- this has become the eternal truth with most ‘Dieters’. It’s true to a certain extent but we forget that fats have various functions in the body. They are an essential part of every cell. They are the producers and regulators of hormones. They increase your immunity and lots more. Therefore, totally chucking out the fat from your diet is not wise. Instead, try and focus on healthy unsaturated fats such as rice bran oil, nuts and seeds, fish and avocados, rather than the not-so-healthy saturated fats (found mostly in animal products like red meats etc) and the recently infamous trans fats (found in baked goods like doughnuts and pastry, deep fried foods such as fried chicken, French fried potatoes and chips, chips, batata wadas etc).
Well, now that we know how important all nutrients are it is also essential that we understand the proportion in which they should be eaten according to the lifestyle of the person.
Here, are a few basic guidelines:
1. Eat breakfast- Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It's the time of the day your body craves food to replenish the nutrients it lost during its overnight fast hence bunking this meal in order to lose weight is a crime on your body. Missing your breakfast means running your body on empty fuel. This leads to low energy levels, crankiness and grogginess due to low blood sugar levels and low mental alertness. Besides, you'll feel so hungry, you'll lose control and binge later during the day. And like I always say, just a cup of tea or coffee doesn't qualify as the first meal of the day.
2. Avoid excess fat in your diet- One gram of fat/oil is nine calories compared to one gram of protein or carbohydrates which is four calories. Thus, a lower fat diet would allow you to eat much more protein and carbs. At the same time, you would be taking in fewer calories as compared to a higher fat diet.
3. Eat your veggies- Yes, your mother and grandmother were right for placing that “hated” vegetable on your plate everyday! Vegetables provide you with a large amount of vitamins and minerals; most of them contain a very small amount of calories. Besides, most vegetables contain fibre, which helps to give you satiety, thus preventing overeating.
3. Eat small and frequent meals- Whatever your aim, try and eat at least four to five smaller meals during the day instead of two to three large meals. Providing your body with smaller portions of food every few hours is a much better option than overloading it with more food than it can handle, all at one time.
Don’t interpret “Diet” as a deprivation or restriction. “Diet” is just what it is – nourishment for your body and soul.