The word diet does not just describe changing what we eat to achieve weight loss; it simply describes what (and how much) we eat, and we can make modifications to our diet to affect many different goals and outcomes besides weight loss. For example, we may increase our caloric intake to achieve hypertrophy or increase athletic performance, or modify the types of foods we eat to reduce cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Many people will try new diet trends after hearing a celebrity (often paid) boasting about their progress or hearing a friend swear by the latest and greatest diet trend. When it comes to choosing the right diet, it is incredibly important to consider what it is you are hoping to gain from your diet and what effects it could have on your long-term health; for instance, is there any threat of possible deficiencies or health complications? If you’re not sure how a specific diet could affect your health, we urge you to speak with your doctor before committing yourself to it.
The majority of Body & Soul clients (over 70%) begin their journey with us with weight loss as one of their main goals. The problem with many weight loss diets is that they are restrictive to the point of not being sustainable over a long period, and while some people find some short-term success with these diets, most find they do not lead to long-term success. A low-carb diet, for instance, may result in you gaining some (or all) of the lost weight back after finishing the diet.
A diet trend that works for one person may not work for another. The Mayo Clinic provides some great tips on how you can choose a ‘diet’ that is appropriate for you.