Columnist Noah Galloway explains why eating a balance of healthy foods and counting calories is better than any fad diet.
There are so many different diets out there; it can really make your head spin. Doctors and nutritionists are always trying to convince you of their new diet that has "amazing" results.
The nutrition industry has so much misinformation and poor research studies. Ive heard a critique on just about every food. Its overwhelming for people to try and learn so much when they are just trying to become healthy. Kale and broccoli are considered toxic, and this is one of the most bizarre examples Ive heard. At this point, all we have left is gluten-free water.
I think its too much to ask for people to be so familiar with nutrition. Why cant we focus on a balanced diet rather than all these fad diets that people are rotating through? Where is the Netflix documentary on a balanced diet? We constantly question the legitimacy of these doctors who seem too biased when it comes to their research and identity. I think the best way to lose weight and have overall good health is a balanced diet of all food groups.
I think the most important guideline to follow is counting calories. This may seem like a lot of work at first, but the certainty and removal of anxiety over the scale is worth the time it takes to measure food intake. MyFitnessPal makes it easy to add meals youve already eaten you don't have to spend too much time inputting meals. Its the perfect encapsulation of the old adage "discipline equals freedom." Its relaxing knowing exactly how much food you can have the rest of the day and not constantly feeling guilty. Health is about being good most of the time, and its fine to have junk food once a week as a reminder of why you are making these daily sacrifices.
Losing weight is all about calories in and calories out.
Another rule of thumb is to find foods you like and avoid foods you love. Try and reset your mentality and remember that food is strictly fuel, and concentrate on eating to give you energy rather than the inevitable food coma. Look for foods that are high in volume and low in calories if you enjoy the process of eating and want to gorge on food.
Drinking plenty of water is another great option to give yourself a false sense of feeling full. Sparkling water works even better than regular water because the carbonation has a filling effect. Losing weight too fast can be another issue because the metabolism slows down, and losing weight too quickly can result in muscle loss.
Slow and steady is the best option, and its the most sustainable.
One of the best ways to lose weight is to get plenty of sleepbecause we tend to reach for food when lethargic or tired, which plays into excessive eating. Getting enough protein is important because its quite filling, and digesting protein burns more calories than digesting fat and carbohydrates. One thing I avoid is drinking calories because it typically isnt as filling as eating those same calories. Instead of drinking a protein shake, one could throw the powder in a blender and have a simple smoothie bowl. Dont be afraid to try zero-calorie sweeteners at the beginning to start the process of shedding and maintaining weight.
Getting back to finding a balance between all the various diets doctors and nutritionists are trying to sell us, I recommend doing a basic Google search of healthiest foods in the world and look at multiple websites, which will touch on the same foods. The more overlap a food has, the more you can be sure its good for you.
Include as many of these foods as possible, and you will be amazed at how good you feel. If you slip up and crush a cheeseburger, dont be too hard on yourself. One bad meal a week is not going to destroy your overall health.
Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue.
If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com).Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com).
Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful.Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions.
Read our full Opinion Policies here.Updated on 10/7/2020
More here:
Galloway: Be wary of fad diets | Opinion | iowastatedaily.com - Iowa State Daily
