HEALTH + WELLNESS
Ditch the diet
THE WORLD OF FOOD AND DIETING HAS BECOME A LITTLE BIT MURKY OF LATE . WHAT WITH EVERY OTHER PERSON WHIPPING UP ZERO-CALORIE LUNCHES AND FLAUNTING THEIR INSTA-PERFECT BODIES ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA , THE FOCUS , IT SEEMS , HAS BECOME INCREDIBLY SHALLOW AND IS ALL ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT . ON THE FLIPSIDE , THERE IS A GROWING ARMY OF BODY-POSITIVE INFLUENCERS WHO ARE CHANNELLING HEALTHY EATING AND A ‘ STRONG NOT SKINNY ’ MESSAGE , WHICH CAN ONLY EVER BE A GOOD THING . WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES AND WHAT WORKS FOR ONE MAY NOT WORK FOR THE OTHER – IT ’ S TIME TO DITCH THE DIET AND INSTEAD EDUCATE OURSELVES ON NOURISHING THE MARVELLOUS BODIES THAT WE HAVE , RATHER THAN COVETING THOSE THAT WE DON ’ T . BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
A massively important point to remember is that our bodies crave nutrients and not calories . Since long before the dread-inducing phrase ‘ bikini body ’ was invented and we all started juicing like there was no tomorrow , a common misconception surrounding ‘ healthy eating ’ ( often the sheep ’ s clothing in which the dieting wolf is dressed ) is that it equates to calorie control alone , so people started obsessively totting up every bite that passed their lips and opted for the lowest numbers on the label instead of what was in the packet .
Of course , a calorie deficit will lead to weight loss – albeit short term and depressing – but a focus on calories alone can cause us to lose sight of proper nutrition and inadvertently starve ourselves of some really valuable nutrients . Lots of really nourishing foods such as whole grains , legumes and healthy fats have a relatively high calorie count when compared to , say , rice cakes , but will a rice cake keep your hunger at bay and boost your body ’ s natural fat-burning mechanisms ? Nope . High-fibre carbohydrates such as quinoa , brown rice and oatmeal will though , as will food high in healthy fats like avocado , salmon and nuts .
Our body gets calories from three main sources : fats , carbohydrates and proteins . While one calorie from a healthy food provides the same amount of energy as one calorie from an unhealthy food , different types of calories have different effects on overall health , which is where the unhealthiest trait of the calorie counter rears its ugly head . You could fill up on two apples to rack up a 100-calorie snack , and although one 25g cube of cheddar cheese only adds up to the same number of calories , by choosing the apple your body is benefitting from a life-affirming hit of antioxidants , soluble fibre and vitamins A , B1 , B2 , B6 and C , whereas cheese , although delicious , is loaded with saturated fat , sodium and cholesterol and is best saved for a treat .
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