Why Diets Don’t Work (Ask Laurie)

It’s the last Sunday of the month, which means it’s time for Laurie Erdman’s fabulous column on health and wellness! Have a question for Laurie? Leave it in the comment field below or send an email to jennifer@jenniferlshelton.com with the subject, “Ask Laurie.” Thank you!

The diet industry is a billion dollar industry. From books to weight loss centers to multiple level marketing companies selling powdered weight loss, people are raking in a lot of money trying to help us lose weight.  Unfortunately, they don’t really work. At least not in the long run.

In fact, a study was conducted to determine the factors that predict obesity.  The #1 factor was whether the person had been on a diet.  If so, they were more like to become obese.  Yicks, not only do diets not work, they make the problem worse.

But why?

Yin To Yang

There are a few reasons, but the common denominator is found in the concept of yin and yang – nature’s need to stay in balance.  Diets, as they are conceived in our society, are based on deprivation.  That would be either caloric or macronutrient (carbs, fats, proteins) deprivation. Not exactly consistent with our body’s desire for balance.

Take a calorie restrictive diet like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig for instance.  Whether you are counting calories or points, you are restricting your intake.  While Weight Watchers is probably the best of the weight loss bunch, the long-term success numbers still aren’t great.

This is common sense.  If you need to lose weight it is likely that your current diet doesn’t contain the most nutritious foods.  So when you simply restrict calories, you go hungry.  While going hungry will definitely help you lose weight, will your body allow that to happen forever?

Not if you are like most people.  Your body got used to that heavier weight – the yang.  It found balance there.  You can tip the scales to less calories – yin, but you have to do it for a long time before your body creates a new balance.  Most people don’t give it that long. They achieve their goal weight and slowly return to old habits.

(I should note that research shows those who can follow a calorie restriction diet do live longer.)

Another popular form of weight loss plan is macronutrient deprivation, i.e., restricting carbs, fat or protein. Let’s take a look at a diet like P90X or Atkins, to see how this works (or doesn’t work).  You start by cutting out all carbohydrates in the form of grains, legumes, starchy vegetables, and fruit.  You are left with a handful of vegetables, dairy products and meat as the basis for your diet. Do you see the pattern?

It’s not surprising that if you cut out several major food groups you will lose weight.  But most of what you are left with is heavy food with a yang energy.

Well if our body wants to be in balance – and it does — then what do you think happens?  We crave, and in fact need those yin foods.  Eating a lot of meat is a common cause of sugar cravings since sugar is yin energy.  So when we stop the diet, our bodies steer us back to the ying foods and the micronutrients they contain that we have been missing out on.   If we aren’t careful, we find ourselves filling up on sugar, processed grains and the like.

A diet out of balance leads to cravings and nutrient deprivation and the eventual return of the weight we lose and then some.

Finding Balance

How do you avoid this teeter-totter?  Eat in balance.  As Michael Pollan says: “Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.”

It’s so simple, but like a toothpaste aisle, we have so many choices that these simple rules seem hard.  Here a few quick tips to building a balanced diet.

1.  Vegetables, Vegetables, Vegetables

Make vegetables the primary thing on your plate.  Whether cooked or raw, vegetables are a perfect way to create balance.

Be sure to have a variety.  Lots of greens (something most people don’t get enough of), and add lots of other colors.  Also be sure to get some grounding root vegetables to balance the yin of the greens.

2.  Let’s Get Fruity

Somehow fruit has gotten a bad rap. Now granted, those with diabetes have to be careful because of the sugar content.  But there are still some great fruits that everyone can enjoy.

Take watermelon or example.  It has such a high water content, is full of lycopene and is super alkaline producing.  It’s a perfect food in my book. Apples, grapefruit and mangoes are other great choices.

3.  Moving on to Protein

This is probably where it gets confusing for most people.  And certainly controversial.  To meat or not to meat?  In general, I say whatever works for you.

That being said, if you eat animal protein 2 to 3 times a day (and I’m including eggs and dairy products in this) and you experience any of the following: (a) sugar cravings; (b) congestion or sinus problems; or (c) constipation (yep, I said it); then try going on a 7 to 10 day animal product sabbatical.  See how you feel.  Do these problems resolve? If so, meat may not be for you, or maybe just as an occasional treat.

If you find animal protein is your thing, think about cutting back to no more than once a day.  It’s such a strong yang food, that you want to balance it out with other protein sources.

Either way, you need protein.  There are tons of plant-based protein sources.  Legumes (beans), lentils and greens are you best sources.  And cheap so you not only keep your body in balance, but your bank account as well.

4. Get the Whole Story

Keep the grains whole.  But beware of the “whole grains” label.  If it’s processed, it’s likely not whole grain.

Keep it simple.  Rice. Quinoa. Buckwheat. Bulgar. Millett.  An occasional pasta or true whole wheat bread is fine, but limit your processed grains to once or twice a day.

Keeping your diet in balance is important to keeping other parts of your life in balance as well.  Do you have any other suggestions for balanced eating?

Check out Laurie’s upcoming program: Transformation is possible. The status quo is not your future.  Empower your self to be more Vibrant, Energetic and Joyful.  The journey begins October 5th.