A Critical Appraisal of Dieting
* Popular diets examined
* What ones are best
So yesterday I watched the programme on channel 4 called “How to Lose Weight Well.”
I try to keep up with these television dieting shows as they normally make my blog more fruity…literally.
Before we go any further, I was very sceptical when I saw that one commercial diet was being used by one of the volunteers. So I wasn’t expecting it to be impartial and took with it a pinch of salt (the puns stop here, I promise).
Indeed, during the adverts, the company was advertising their product!
Sigh: so much for neutrality. As I write this, it’s currently an advert break and I’m predicting that the commercial diet plan will win!
Anyway, a compelling argument was made for controlling the temperature. The idea was swimming in colder weather or turning the thermostat down at home. This wasn’t comprehensively tested but I do agree that this could work.
The body expends calories to keep itself warm and heat is an essential function of the body!
(And another advert for a slimming DVD has appeared! The odds on me making to the end of this programme have just plummeted. PS a generic workout plan will not work for everyone which is why I developed the RYPT to overcome this.)
Anyway, crash diets were used as well and they worked. Over a stone lost in rapid time. However, it couldn’t be sustained.
I also learned about the “French women’s diet” which is about regular eating and portion control plus exercise. One of the most sensible, I must say.
The central problems of emotional eating were not addressed despite the diets being tailored to the individual apparently.
The Asian diet was also about smaller diets and rice plus vegetables.
The one thing about these diets is that they are very “secular” they don’t seem to appreciate the values of other food types.
Obviously the show was centred around creating the environment with the diets eg the Asian diet was about the relevant cuisine and drink.
Even the idea of chewing more was explored. I do agree with this one as extra chewing releases enzymes for digestion. “Mastication” is definitely a word that’s underused in my vocabulary but is definitely relevant here!
Physiologically, enjoying your food more will ensure that it’s broken down better and help resolve digestive issues.
Chewing more was definitely more of a challenge and the group who chewed more ate 1/4 less and felt as full.
The main component which restricted progress were the participants own weaknesses. As also shown in previous programmes; following a plan only goes so far.
There is a resounding perception that changing habits involves boring, bland foods yet this doesn’t need to be the case.
My own ideology is that you can enjoy what you love as long as everything is in moderation.
Stress, sleep and lifestyle play a huge role! The body reacts to what we eat and determines what we eat (in many ways).
The right type of nutrition (in my eyes this comes via education) will help your energy, concentration and also happiness. If you need an example of this, see how sluggish we all felt after the excesses of Christmas!!
“Clean eating” diet is not something that I really discuss but it performed admirably. It’s a phrase that I detest as no food is “dirty.” The main thing that this participant took from it was access to a wider range of vegetables and therefore altering his current nutrition significantly.
I believe that with nutritional knowledge then you could lose weight by adding new foods (perhaps ones that you haven’t tried in a while / believe you don’t like). The thing about any “clean eating” diet is that it forces you to change your habits and eat healthier foods. These changes, made even to a smaller degree will have an impact.
Sometimes diets are not necessarily as important as the changes they encompass. Having trained clients in the past, admittedly some do need to be told what to eat, whereas other just need guidance.
The overall weight loss for this individual was nearly two stone.
Shock, horror, the one sponsored by the programme won. My scepticism is not to say that it doesn’t work but knowing these plans well, they are more of a crutch than a sustainable system.
The restrictive element is one of the many disadvantages: once people have a perception that they’ve fallen off the wagon, it’s game over. This leads to an endless cycle of stop:start.
Furthermore, the lack of education with some of these plan lead to people relying on “approved” ready meals and high sugar foods. The celebrity endorsement of these foods is also worrying considering the power that these marketing companies have.
I’m sure there are other companies out there that have a more sensible approach.
If I was to design a weight loss programme, it would revolve mainly around education, cooking and understanding the brain. Seeking to change your lifestyle without harnessing (or at least attempting to understand) the brain is like attempting to go hill climbing without knowledge of the equipment that you have.
Believe me, having read about the brain for two years now (obviously not to any PhD level!) I appreciate that even little things have a monumental impact on our lives.
That why I try to drop hints and tips into every single one of my blogs in an effort to assist you to reach your goals.
Get your free health check from RYPT simply visit the homepage (www.RYPT.info) to register.
The Lifestyle Exercise and Nutritional evaluation is the most comprehensive free check of it’s kind — don’t miss out.
Ross
