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Monday, September 22, 2008
Is “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?
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