Diet Myths

Do you have an instant negative reaction when you hear the word "diet?" Does it conjure up images of deprivation and dissatisfaction, of mountains of raw veggies, of guilt over that cookie you had last night, of extremes like only eating grapefruit for a week, of those oft-quoted statistics about the inevitable failure of diets which then leads to even more weight gain? Maybe you have a more temperate response than this, but I suspect for most people, myself included, there's at least a bit of a negative connotation when someone mentions the word "diet." I say, it's time to reclaim some vocabulary!

I'll admit, "diet" is a word I've avoided for years. To me it was synonymous with "deprivation" and "temporary," and I was not interested in giving up my enjoyment of food or in following some kind of strict eating system for a certain period of time, because what happens when you reach your goal and go back to eating "normally" again? If you need to make changes, make them! But make them sustainable, and, if you're me, as delicious as possible to boot.

Myth #1: Diets are temporary
In fact, the word "diet" simply means the way a population eats. You, a population of one, may not be on a diet, but you still have a diet - whatever you usually eat. Diet, therefore, is a statement of reality, nothing more. And if you decide to change the way you're eating (what, when, and how much) then you're changing your diet, plain and simple. It's up to you if those changes will be permanent or temporary.

Myth #2: Healthy diets don't taste good
Maybe this is less of a myth and more of a personal beef, but I refuse to accept that eating well involves eating stuff that tastes gross, or (equally appalling in my books) has no taste at all. For example, this morning we had a delicious breakfast which was filling and I daresay would have cost upwards of 12$ at any respectable restaurant: a frittata packed with tons of nutrient-rich veggies (mushrooms, spinach, onion, red pepper), hearty 16-grain toast, and half a grapefruit. And this deliciousness is "diet food" in even the traditional sense, as Wilson and I are following a new diet (read: a new way of eating) which so far has helped me lose over 10 lbs over a two-month span that included Christmas! I reject protein shakes as a necessary part of any diet (because, blechgh!!) although if you enjoy them (really?!?) like my husband, more power to you.

Over the coming weeks I plan to share more of our diet details and more myths I have encountered as I have begun trying to piece together what our diet should look like, not just to lose extra weight, but even more importantly, to be as healthy as possible.

For now, though, I leave you with that simple four letter word: diet. I do hope yours is delicious! :)