Dieting is often misunderstood. While many believe that it is about eating less, it is actually about eating right. The word ‘diet’ has been co-opted to suit one’s preference. The word traditionally describes habitual eating behaviours, whereas people use it more casually today, saying that they are ‘going on a diet,’ amusingly implying that they were not on one before. By definition, everyone is technically on a diet, but the composition of the food consumed differs.
A common fallacy that one may believe is the presence of a ‘perfect diet,’ and health freaks are often disheartened when the calories consumed-vs-burned equation for weight loss doesn’t balance out. In fact, rookie dieters start with a zealous craze, with crash diets being a common cause of heart palpitations, dropping blood pressures, and even increases in the risk of heart attacks.
Some common misconceptions of dieting include eliminating fats from meals completely, starving oneself, and going cold turkey. However, a balanced diet is the safest route to follow, as maintaining balance is most important. Some of the most popular diets are the Paleo Diet, the Low-Carb Diet, the Dukan Diet, the HCG Diet, Intermittent Fasting, and more!
A surprising fact is that the calorie is actually a measurement of energy. All calories have the same energy content, but this does not mean that all calorie sources have the same effects on your weight.
Different foods enter and pass through different metabolic routes, having several different effects on hunger and the hormones that regulate body weight. Since this differs for every individual, each person needs to adjust their diet to suit their body. Consulting a physician is also very necessary before starting a diet, especially since not everyone’s body reacts in the same way to different diets.
Crash diets are a common cause of heart palpitations, dropping blood pressures, and it even increases the risk of heart attacks!
