Is This A Diet?

Is This A Diet?

NO! I get asked all the time! It is the BEST way to start a healthy lifestyle change. You wouldn’t paint on top of any old painting, you’d go out and buy a fresh canvas. The same is true about your digestive system and colon. Getting ri of old bad habits and cleansing out triggers like parasites and bad gut biome will help you to stick with your new habits and stay on track for the long haul.

The terms “diet” and “dieting” are related but have distinct meanings:

Diet: A diet refers to the types and patterns of food and drink that a person habitually consumes. It is a broad term that encompasses the overall eating habits of an individual or a specific group. Diet can be influenced by culture, geography, personal preferences, and health considerations. For example, a Mediterranean diet, a vegetarian diet, or a low-carb diet are all specific types of diets.

Dieting: Dieting, on the other hand, refers to the act of making deliberate and temporary changes to one’s diet with the intention of achieving a specific goal, often related to weight loss, weight management, or improving health. People typically embark on a dieting regimen to reduce calorie intake, control portion sizes, or follow a structured meal plan for a certain period.

In summary, a diet is the overall food consumption pattern, whereas dieting is the specific action of following a restricted or modified diet for a particular purpose, often associated with weight management or health improvement. Dieting is usually seen as a short-term endeavor, while a diet is more of a long-term lifestyle choice. It’s essential to approach dieting with caution, ensuring that any changes made to one’s diet are sustainable and based on balanced nutrition for optimal health.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle diet is essential for maintaining overall well-being, promoting longevity, and preventing various chronic diseases. Here are some tips to help you create a balanced and sustainable lifestyle diet:

1. Balanced Meals: Strive to include a variety of nutrient-dense foods in each meal. By being consistent (not perfect) with a balance of healthy carbohydrates (fiber rich), proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Incorporate whole grains, lean proteins (such as fish, poultry, legumes), fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds into your meals.
2. Portion Control: Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overeating. Even when eating healthy foods, consuming large portions can lead to excess calorie intake. Use smaller plates and practice mindful eating to savor your meals and recognize when you’re full.
3. Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water is crucial for proper bodily functions, and staying well-hydrated helps maintain energy levels, aids digestion, and promotes healthier skin.
4. Limit Processed Foods: Minimize the intake of processed and highly refined foods, which are often high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives. Instead, choose whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
5. Reduce Added Sugar: Be mindful of added sugars in your diet, as they can contribute to weight gain and various health issues. Opt for natural sugars found in fruits and limit sugary beverages, candies, and desserts.
6. Healthy Snacks: Choose nutritious snacks to satisfy hunger between meals. Snack on fruits, nuts, yogurt, or whole-grain crackers with hummus instead of reaching for processed snacks.
7. Think Fiber / not carbs: Foods rich in dietary fiber promote digestive health and help you feel fuller for longer. Include carbs like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes in your diet to increase fiber intake.
8. Moderate Alcohol Consumption: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Excessive alcohol intake can negatively impact health and lead to various health issues, besides over caloric consumption (aka pigging out)
9. Plan & Prep: Freedom with food comes with planning and prepping your meals and snacks in advance to avoid impulsive and unhealthy food choices.
10. Practice Mindful Eating: Pay attention (be AWARE) to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Avoid eating when you’re not hungry (poor habits) and stop eating when you’re 80% satisfied. Mindful eating helps you develop a healthy relationship with food and yourself by preventing overeating.
11. Regular Exercise: You knew this would make the list! 🙂 By being consistent (not perfect)with regular physical activity. Exercise supports weight management, improves cardiovascular health, boosts mood, and enhances overall fitness.
12. Sleep and Stress Management: Prioritize getting enough sleep and manage stress effectively. Lack of sleep and chronic stress can influence eating habits and lead to unhealthy food choices where we mistake needing energy (tiredness) for hunger.

Remember, a lifestyle diet is not about strict rules or short-term changes; it’s about making sustainable choices that you can maintain over the long term. Always consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized advice and guidance based on your individual health needs and goals.