1️⃣ SPECIALIST DIETS ARE BETTER THAN REGULAR DIETS
We live in a world where everyone wants a quick fix, magic pill, or special nutritional approach to guarantee them amazing results.
Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Carnivore, Intermittent Fasting and many more, have all been touted as the next big thing – in reality though, ALL diets work providing you’re consistent and compliant with portion control.
In my opinion, it’s is unsustainable to put all your eggs into one basket and choose a ‘camp’.
Our ancestors would have fluctuated their intake due to the seasons – there would have been months where crops were bountiful, and others where fish were in abundance.
There would have been periods where cattle would have been hunted, and others where pickings were slim and fasting may have been required.
Rather than searching for the ‘missing link’, try moderating your current intake and cleaning it up. Quite often that’s all that’s required.
2️⃣ CALORIES IN VERSUS CALORIES OUT IS ALL THAT MATTERS
Whilst calorie control is essential if you are to lose or gain weight, you would be hugely mistaken if you thought this was the ‘be all and end all’.
If you’re not monitoring your daily macronutrient profiles, you’re potentially giving yourself a mountain to climb when it comes to achieving your goals.
Think ‘protein first’ when it comes to planning your main meals, and then accompany this with your choice of carbs and/or fats, in moderation.
A high percentage of the population of the modern world are deficient in protein, so it is essential that you give this plenty of attention when addressing your current nutritional needs.
3️⃣ YOU CANT EAT ‘BAD’ FOODS AND BE HEALTHY
Another common misconception is that to be fit and healthy, you must cut out all processed food.
In full transparency, I eat chocolate every single day of the year. I also enjoy cereal, biscuits, sauces and crisps.
Yes, there might be occasions where I’ll tidy things up and leave the crisps and biscuits alone for a while, but the chocolate remains year round.
I simply allow for it. I choose rich dark 70 or 80% chocolate that’s high in cocoa content, packed with antioxidants and contains less additives.
I’ll switch crisps and biscuits out for salt and vinegar or choc-chip rice cakes and I’ll bring in zero or low calories sauces and dressings. But I never go without.
We always advise our lifestyle clients to shoot for 80% single ingredient, unprocessed foods, and 20% processed – and if someone wants a structured meal plan, we will design it using these ratios.
If you deprive yourself of something, you’ll only end up wanting it more, and sooner or later, the high hopes you had for your diet will be lying on the ground in tatters – along with your fresh chip wrappings!
Steve
