To create a healthier lifestyle, it is important to build a well-rounded diet that is tailored to one’s individual needs.
According to the Mayo Clinic, diets are meant to fit a person’s lifestyle. Being realistic about what you eat and how you eat is very important.
When creating a healthy diet, it is also critical to be well-rounded. All food groups should be included. A diet should never have too much sugar or grain as it needs to be balanced.
Surprisingly, many foods that brand themselves as ‘diet’ foods are anything but, a study by Nutr Diabetes indicates.
These so-called ‘diet’ foods tend to be higher in sugars than their regular counterparts. They may masquerade as low-calorie and low-fat options, but they remain just as bad for your body.
There are also many diets that offer a ‘nutritional benefit’ without any scientific evidence. One of these is a gluten-free diet.
Gluten-free diets are generally reserved for people with a severe gluten intolerance, like people with Celiac Disease. Going gluten-free ‘just because’ has many health drawbacks.
According to Harvard, taking up a gluten free diet without a medical reason to do so can lead to fiber deficiencies. It is also frustrating to those with Celiac to hear about how easy the diet is to follow, because gluten is in much more food than people generally believe.
A gluten free diet is also expensive and restrictive, so there is no need to follow it unless medically necessary.
Other diets, like the keto and paleo diet, are dangerous to the body.
The keto diet can be dangerous for people who do not fit specific criteria, especially because it forces the body into ketosis, also known as a mild stage of ketoacidosis, which is a condition where the body cannot produce necessary acids and is usually found in diabetics. The paleo diet can also cause a lack of vitamin D and calcium, which are critical to bone health.
According to Healthline, good diets also need exercise to be successful. You don’t need to build an intense workout regimen, but simple things like taking a walk or following an exercise video can make a difference.
Like exercise, good sleep is important to maintaining a healthy diet. While the two may not seem related, a study by PLoS Med indicates that sleep deprivation can cause hunger and significant weight gain.
Going to bed and waking up at the same time every single day may not be feasible for everyone, but doing less all-nighters and going to bed around the same time can help curb the effects of sleep deprivation.
Even eating from a smaller plate can have a substantial impact on your diet. According to Healthline, putting a normal portion on a smaller plate makes it look bigger and prevents overeating.
Surprisingly, a healthy diet may include taking supplements. According to healthline, about 42% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D and most do not know. While supplements do not replace nutrition in food, they can help improve deficiencies.
There are many options when it comes to creating a diet, and one size does not fit all. The most important part of changing your diet is always to make sure it works for you.