Why Fad Diets Don’t Work
Let’s just be honest, fad diets don’t work in the long run. You’ve probably noticed that men often eat differently than women, you eat differently in the summer than in the winter, and you ate differently as a child than you do now as an adult. In addition, you may have a friend who thrives on consuming dairy and red meat, while you feel unwell after consuming even the smallest amount of cheese and feel heavy and bloated when you consume red meat. Have you ever wondered why?
This is because you are a bio-individual.
Bio-individuality refers to the concept that individuality permeates each part of your body. No one way of eating is best for everyone. We are too individualistic to eat the same exact food.
In my health coaching practice, I teach clients how to determine what is the best food for their body. Specific prescribed diets have their place for persons with serious illnesses, intolerances or allergies and can be a useful tool for a specific purpose or a limited amount of time. For instance, I avoid gluten due to an intolerance and I avoid or limit my dairy intake in order to feel my best. That being said, my body is changing all the time. This is just what works for me right now.
For most of us, I suggest throwing prescribed diets out the door. Be it vegan, vegetarian, raw, dairy-free, gluten-free, carnivore, Paleo, pescatarian- the list goes on and on. No one way is best for everyone; one person’s food is another person’s poison.
To help you learn more about who you are as an individual, here are a few of the key factors shaping bio-individuality:
- ancestry
- blood type
- metabolism
- personal tastes and preferences
Each of these factors influence what will or will not nourish you at any given stage of your life and it is up to you to use your body as an experiment (gently, please) to determine what works for you. So, when experts say “red meat is unhealthy” or “milk is good for you,” it’s too much of a generalization. These statements are not based in the reality that we all have different dietary needs.
To Your Healthy Body,
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Disclaimer: My blog provides general information and discussion about supplements, health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other health care worker.
