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DEL.ICIO.USIs “no diet” the best diet plan of all?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A recent trend in watching waistlines is to use “positive eating” rather than dieting. Instead of depriving yourself of the foods you desire, there’s a movement to eat what you enjoy and stop thinking about food. The premise is that if you have a healthier relationship with food, you can eat more moderately and with more enjoyment.
A recent The New York Times story about dieting trends noted that — based on food diaries collected by the market research firm NPD Group — the percentage of consumers on a diet is lower now than it has been in over 20 years. Even the Calorie Control Council, which represents makers of commercial diet foods, notes the percentage of people who are dieting has declined. Instead of dieting, people are making more healthful “lifestyle” changes, including cooking more, integrating more vegetables into their diet and taking time to enjoy what they’re eating. The results are more satisfying meals which are naturally lower in calories.
Food writer and cookbook author Melissa Clark seconds this sentiment in September’s Bon Appetit. Clark suggests ways to lose weight without “dieting.” Her advice focuses on on learning to moderate your food intake without giving up favorite foods. One way is to stop eating just before you are full — to allow your brain to catch up to your stomach. You can also choose smaller portions (like appetizers) or share a large entree. She stresses, if there’s food put on your plate that you don’t really like, don’t eat it just because it’s there. Ever.
Clark also interviewed Andrea Strong, a blogger for The Strong Buzz who eats out almost every night. Strong concurs with Clark. “I’ve learned that I can eat whatever I want and enjoy it as long as I’m smart about it. I really think the happier and less neurotic you are about what you’re eating, the less likely you’ll become as big as a house.”
What do you think? Can the non-diet become the best way to lose weight? What strategies have worked best for you?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Dining out, Home cooking
Comments
By Stan
September 22, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Woohoo!! I’m on the leading edge a trend :)
I’ve been moving to this type of eating for the last couple of years. Cooking more, using fresh as often as possible, not using processed anything if possible (I buy frozen fruit and plain yogurt and make it myself) I’ve upped the fruit and veg intake of my wife and I big time. It seems to be working. I’m more satisified and feel better though I am still working on proper portions.
By Miss A
September 23, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
I agree. Whenever I tried a diet in the past, I felt pressured and would eventually “fall off the wagon”! Now I just decided to try a lifestyle change all together. I also buy plain yogurt, frozen strawberries and blueberries, and granola and make a parfait. I try to eat more veggies/fruit, cut out fried foods, and eliminating sweets (after meal desserts was a must!) I make sure to walk/run at least 5 times a week, and my best friend and I decided to start playing tennis, going to the golf course, and batting cage for a change up in exercise. I think a gradual change is easier than a drastic diet….
By clyde
September 23, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
A year and a half ago my wife and I went to portion control of the foods we normally ate.We purchased some 8” plates and we keep all meals restricted to what can be put comfortably on the plate.Our weight and the grocery bill have both gone down.
By FCM
September 30, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
The doctor working with my Dad (due to stroke)said that Weight Watchers is the only real ‘plan’ that works. The heart doctors are now calling this their ‘Heart Diet’.
I began reading a few years back the weight loss stories in the AJC. The majority of those losing weight and keeping it off are doing WW.
I did lose 20 lbs(and put back 35 when I quit) while I followed the plan.
I will say that I noticed I cut back in the last 2 weeks. Cut back does not mean I am eating healthy it means I get full on smaller amounts of food. For instance a grilled turkey and cheese on multi-grain bread…that’s it no salad, no chips. The kids had whole wheat ham pita’s with szakiki (low fat from TJs) and lettuce, with apples as a side.
I don’t think we will give up ‘favorites’ (pizza, burgers, etc) just try to eat less of it, and pick better sides…or skip them. Chick Fil A is a fav of mine because I am not fond of the Waffle fries (yes, I know I am one of 10 on the planet who hate them)…so I usually do the sandwich and a drink.
By slow down and live
February 23, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
Eating slower - Sounds very basic and obvious, but eating slower has helped me more than anything because I naturally inhale my food which means I hardly feel like I ate something so of course I want more. But if I concentrate on eating much slower, which by the way is extremely difficult for me, it seems like I have twice as much food and is much more satisfying and I truly do eat less.