Choose a style of eating that you can continue indefinitely.
Diet culture is everywhere, but many diets are aimed at short-term results rather than long-term health. Many people lose a little weight, then find that they canβt sustain their dieting habits due to insatiable hunger or emotional factors. If we do decide to choose a diet, picking a way of eating that weβre able to continue for years rather than weeks or months represents a much better chance of losing weight at a healthy paceβand keeping it off.
Generally, we all knowΒ the best foods for us to eat, but our choices donβt always reflect that knowledge. It may be that we get in the habit of eating convenient, fast food, or we try a fad diet andβafter the initial weight lossβwe find it difficult to maintain. At this point, many people regain whatever weight they lost, and even more. Instead, itβs better to think strategically and pick long term, realistic goals.
When evaluating a new eating plan, approach it systematically by first assessing its compatibility with your existing lifestyle, rather than trying to entirely reshape your life around the diet. To do this, consider the following steps:
For instance, if you have a sweet tooth, a low-carbohydrate diet might not be sustainable for you. Instead, consider a plan that allows for a moderate intake of sugar. Similarly, if you enjoy fried foods but have high cholesterol, find a diet that incorporates healthy oils and cholesterol-lowering foods. Remember, the goal is to find a balance that ensures both nutritional value and satisfaction from your meals.
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