According to a Buzzfeed report, experts have reached a consensus the reasons dieting rarely works. Those experts were kind enough to explain why so many diets fail and offer some healthier alternatives.
Most diets have disappointing results because they come with a “black and white” approach, i.e. you either stick to the diet plan or indulge in one of your favorite foods and lose the battle. Most diets fill dieters with a sense of guilt about not following the diet, which sets them up to fail.
- Another reason dieting fails is because it replaces unhealthy eating habits with other unhealthy habits, like avoiding foods you body really needs to thrive or binge eating.
- Such unhealthy habits can up the risk of health issues like heart disease.
In addition, most diets lead to unrealistic body images, which prompts the person who wants to lose weight to body shame herself or himself. People on a diet cannot hit body acceptance “naturally” when they have this mindset, expert Glenys Oyston explained.
Some Diets Just Set Us Up to Fail
Another issue with dieting is that it associates a big size with health issues. However, despite the myths, a scale cannot accurately tell you your progress. A scale cannot tell your level of body fat, which is the real culprit behind the many health issues associated with being overweight or obese.
Paradoxically, you can weigh more than another person and be healthier because your body has build up muscle, which is heavier than fat, while your peer is just fat.
Diets also fail because the person cannot control how much weight they can lose. It is up to the body, not the person. However, even though they have no control over how much weight they can shed, most people feel ashamed when a diet doesn’t work. We should blame the diet, not the individual, dietitian Lauren Anton told Buzzfeed.
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