I'd also like to say sorry for upsetting anyone with the thread title etc. I did not mean to bring up bad emotions about food for people 🙁
Speaking for myself, I say it's okay. Diet is a word people don't really think about. "Oh, I'm going on a diet. I'm going to eat healthier". I think we all need to use our language better. Further, saying "I'm on a diet" is giving yourself a really convenient out. "I've lost ten pounds. My goal was to lose twenty, but I lost ten, so my diet was not a failure and I can quit." Psychologically, it's more helpful to think of it as a lifestyle change. You aren't giving yourself permission to quit from the start.
And that, really, is what any 'diet' should be. If you cannot keep it up long term, it is a bad idea. This includes most 'fad' diets. The CCC diet included, sorry [MENTION=11237]Mr Giles[/MENTION].
Yes, they'll have short term effects, but if you cannot uphold them you are likely to gain weight back as soon as they're done. It's all about portion control, balance and fitness.
For example, I'm 5'6" and 13st5lb. I'm on a 3000 calorie-per-day diet (as in, nutrition plan, not restrictive diet) that concentrates on fruit, dairy and carbohydrates. I am nursing, which means I need ~500 extra calories per day and I tend to lose if I fall under 2500 calories, naturally. Most of those calories come from yoghurt, cheese, milk, oatmeal and whole-grain wheat bread. I eat red meat once a week, generally, but two or three times during my menses because I'm prone to anaemia. The dairy and whole grains are important for my milk production, while the fruit is important for preventing scurvy and satisfying my sweet tooth!
Nutrition is about balancing. You find out what you need and build from that, instead of concentrating on what you want. I still eat sweets - it's impossible not to - but I don't eat much when I do. I still eat fast food, but I very rarely give in to the greasy and fried foods. I might occasionally eat things I don't actively like - like poultry - but it's rare.
And, if you're having trouble with non-processed foods,
cut the processed ones out. It's hard, yes, but if all your palate ever experiences is crisps and cola, it will take time to become acquainted with certain things. However, once you get used to it, an apple will taste infinitely better than fruit gums. It's a clean, more satisfying sweet.
If you cut out excess sugars and salt, your palate acclimates to the new flavours you're experiencing and it's rather lovely.
And, a note: fitness. It's important, even if you're only walking or whatnot, because even if you look thin, you may have more collective fat than is really healthy, especially in the midsection. And hey, fitness is fun, now! There's Zumba and all that. I personally rotate pilates, yoga and belly dancing, because my biggest worry is my abdomen and I cannot do crunches! But you just find something active and fun and you'll
feel so much healthier.
*ramblerambleramble*
Healthful, nutritious foods and fitness!
*yammeryammeryammer*
