Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year often seems like the perfect time to try and become healthier, especially after all the holiday celebrations. Many of us will resolve to completely change the way we eat, yet time and time again we see that restricting the food that we eat by 'going on a diet' isn't sustainable. We could be successful for a few days, weeks, or even months, but eventually we give in to the cravings and slip back to our old habits. There's no doubt this can be really discouraging, but the problem is with the diets - not with us! Nutrition is not one-size-fits-all, and it is so important to embrace and appreciate your individuality. Think about what you really enjoy eating and seek to build your diet around that and try the following: 1. Adding in, not taking away Many diets are built around the restriction or elimination of particular foods or food groups. Instead of trying to restrict 'unhealthy' foods, a more practical approach is to focus on making healthy additions to your diet. Such as having more plant-based meals, trying new vegetables or flavours, or drinking more water. This approach creates a positive mindset around food instead of the negative feelings associated with restricting foods. 2. Removing the focus from weight loss Making changes to your diet and eating well doesn't have to be synonymous with weight loss. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, but having a healthy diet is more than that. Providing nourishment to your body and mind enables you to live and enjoy your life. Remember that being slim is not an accurate indicator of health. Healthy bodies come in many shapes and sizes. 3. It’s not all about the diet Factors outside of diet can all impact our health. Being physically active, avoiding stress, getting enough sleep, and having good relationships are all essential to our health. Try taking a quick walk on your lunch break, or going to bed half an hour earlier. 4. Finding reliable information There's so much nutrition information in the media and online. It's hard to know what is trustworthy nutrition advice. The many diets promoted can be tempting, but remember that the billion dollar wellness industry is designed to make a profit. If you are looking to change the way you eat or even lose weight, it is better to focus your time and energy on making small and sustainable changes. -- Breanne Stevens is a Registered Dietitian here at Trinity Wellness Centre.
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