One in three people are dieting right now.... but more than 95% of those will fail. It’s a startling fact that proves diets aren’t the answer to long-term weight loss.
A recent study looked at four popular diets to see which worked the best: the Atkins diet restricts carbohydrate intake; Weight Watchers manages portion control; the Zone diet focuses on balancing macronutrients; and the Ornish diet is a very low-fat dieting approach.
People were allocated one of these diets for 12 months and provided with advice and support. So, which was most successful?
They were all fairly similar. The issue was actually sticking with them. While people lost a modest amount of weight (2-3kg), nearly half dropped out. So, even with regular advice and support, we still struggle to stick to the eating patterns promoted in popular diets.
But what’s the solution if diets aren’t the answer?
It's all about the body, mind and heart...
BODY
Choose quality foods – when we mostly eat nature’s superfoods, like wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts – nutrition tends to take care of itself.
MIND
Have a positive attitude to food – there’s no such thing as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods. Rather think of ‘always’ foods, like vegetables, fruits and wholegrains, ‘sometimes’ foods like packaged muesli bars; and ‘occasional’ foods like chips, sweets and soft drinks. Enjoy your food – take time to notice how your food looks, smells, tastes and feels. Eating slowly assists us with weight loss by reducing the amount of food needed to make us feel satisfied.
HEART
Listen to your heart – if you think you may have underlying issue that cause you to eat for reasons other than hunger, try talking to a trusted friend, family member or councillor.
By considering the three elements of wellbeing – body, mind and heart – we are well on the way to solving the weight-loss puzzle and achieving healthier, happier lives.