Whether you’ve tried all the weight loss diets out there or not, you’ve probably heard of them. Supporters of one diet will tend to suggest that theirs is the only great option for losing weight and keeping it off, while a diet with totally conflicting guidelines will suggest the same thing. The fact is, that almost any weight loss can be effective because at their core they tend to have some things in common. The key is to understand what those things are, and then incorporate them into your daily life in a way that is sustainable for the long term. Here’s why most diets can be effective.
Diets Tend to Slash Calories
Plain and simple, most diets tend to cut down on the amount of calories that you consume by presenting guidelines that limit food by type or amount. No diet for example, is going to be okay with you eating three diets for breakfast. Whether they give you specific serving sizes or just cut out sugar altogether, you’re going to be eating fewer calories on a diet.
Diets are High in Filling Foods
Diets tend to cut out fluff food that doesn’t do anything for your body besides wreak havoc, and they make replacements with food that’s actually healthy and fill you up. If you’re adding more greens to your diet through a weight loss plan, you’re going to be getting more fiber that takes longer to break down in the digestion system, as well as feeling more full based on the volume of the food. Vegetables are extremely low in calorie density when compared to something like a spoonful of peanut butter, so it can make you feel fuller longer even when it’s an overall lighter choice.
Most diets will suggest that you fill up on lean proteins and healthy fats while avoiding the unhealthy fats. Lean proteins like chicken breast are a dense source of protein that are not a great source of carbohydrates, so the more protein you eat the less likely you will be to fill up on carbohydrates.
When diets do suggest carbohydrates, they are in the form of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Whole grains are in the closest form to natural as possible, which means that they still contain filling fiber. The fiber helps to keep your blood sugar steady instead of spiking it and leading to crashes the way that processed carbohydrates do.
Diets Provide Structure
Besides suggesting healthier ways for you to eat, most diets also provide some structure for you to adhere to. While on your own you might be tempted by that grilled cheese sandwich, when you’re following a low carb diet you will automatically remember that it doesn’t fit into your diet. The thing is, that you can also create that structure for your life without having to stick to one way of dieting. Some diets are so limiting that it cuts out an entire food group for life which makes eating out challenging. If that doesn’t appeal to you, then the diet won’t work for the long term. Keep these things in mind when you’re looking to change your eating habits, take accountability for them, and you’ll be well on your way to living a life of balance.