The mistake you’re making when choosing a diet

The list of trendy diets seems to go on and on from paleo, vegan, Whole 30, keto, and even the carnivore diet (yes, that’s a real thing). But which one is the best? The answer is actually a little more complicated than you may think. Every individual is unique with their age, gender, physical activity, stress levels, sleep patterns, and genetics. What works for one person may not work for another, which makes choosing a diet that much more difficult. Instead of going on a diet that is raved about by some friend, family member, or business marketer to help you lose weight the quickest and ends up not being sustainable, it is better to focus on lifestyle changes that will promote health in the long-term. Diets are also difficult for most people to stick to which is why I like to promote lifestyle changes instead of drastic diets.

While every single person will not thrive off of the same food choices, there are a few guidelines that everyone can get started with to figure out what works best for them. Eating real, whole foods is something that anyone will benefit from. Whether your goal is to lose weight, decrease your blood pressure, improve your blood lipid panel, or increase your energy, eating foods that come from the Earth is guaranteed to put you in the right direction. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts and seeds, and good quality protein are a great starting place. You can then decide if having more fats in your diet or more plant-based protein in your diet, for example, works the best for you at this time. Some people may feel they have more energy consuming a high amount complex carbs and lower amounts of fats, while others may feel sluggish. It will take time to decide what foods help you feel your best with your unique lifestyle.

There are also some foods that most people when making lifestyle changes tend to limit. Trans fats are a big no-no, while added sugars should be limited (natural sugar from fruit is not included in this). Red meat should be grass-fed if accessible, and other saturated fats like butter and coconut oil may have to as well depending on how well your body tolerates saturated fats. Some people’s blood markers like LDL cholesterol and triglycerides increase with these types of fats so it is a good idea to check them every so often. Good quality dairy can work for some people, and for others it may trigger an inflammation response and cause acne or digestive discomfort. Of course, there is no reason (unless medically advised) to restrict or ban any one food from your eating habits because it is the overall eating habits that will keep you healthy and vibrant.

All of this is to say that nutrition varies from person to person. Keeping a food journal is a great way to see how specific foods or meals affect you, as well as trying out mindful eating techniques. Working with a health professional is another way to see what works and what doesn’t for your specific body.