Here’s why you should ditch that weight-loss diet

Weight-loss diets don’t work. It’s a fact. Dietitian Simone Mastronardo explains why—and how you can ditch the diet and the food guilt.

Did you know that you can enjoy your favourite food without resolving to burn it off in the New Year?  All you have to do is adopt a non-diet, mindful approach to healthy eating.

The best part? This method is proven to boost your mood, self-esteem, and weight-stability.

1. Remove food labels

People often label foods as “good” or “bad” but there’s actually no such thing as bad food—unless it’s rotting in the back of your fridge!

Banning foods can lead to stressful cycles of dieting, weight loss, and weight gain.

In contrast, when you take the guilt away from eating certain foods, you can find yourself enjoying them more and craving them less.

It’s a mind-shift that lets you build positive eating habits.

Go ahead, rip off those labels!

2. Savour every bite

Sometimes – like at Christmas dinner – we feel we have to heap our plates full of everything on offer.

However, you’ll find that you enjoy your food so much more if you take your time to choose only the foods you’d most like to eat. You’ll also avoid that uncomfortable, over-full feeling.

Plus, you can eat the leftovers the next day!

So, ask yourself: ‘What do I feel like eating the most right now?’

Then, pay attention to its colour, texture, and smell. What does it taste like? Do you like it?

This deliberate way of eating increases how satisfied you feel after a meal, and it can reduce emotional or binge eating habits.

3. Listen to your body talk

Your body tells you when you need to eat and drink and when you’re full.

To hear what your body is telling you, take three deep breaths and relax.

Think: ‘Am I hungry? Am I thirsty?’

Listening to your ‘hungry’ and ‘non hungry’ signals can help you understand why you eat.

If you only eat when you’re hungry, you’ll be able to avoid the distracted or boredom eating that we’re all prone to over the holidays.

The delicious bonus is that food tastes stronger when you’re hungry.

4. Think “wellbeing”, not “weight”

“My New Year’s resolution is to burn off these Christmas calories”.

Does that sound familiar?

Exercising for weight-loss can lead to a punishing relationship with food and your body.

The truth is that calorie-restriction diets are terrible for your mental health. And the results don’t last.

Plus, a smaller body doesn’t mean a healthier body.

Try to view exercise as a way to boost your health and wellbeing. You’ll get those feel-good brain chemicals pumping and build strength and coordination.

5. Be kind to yourself

Self-compassion is one of the best gifts you can give yourself this Christmas.

A mindful, non-diet approach to healthy eating is a beautiful form of self-care.

We all feel our best when we listen to our hunger cues, care for our body with nourishing and delicious food, and move in ways that we enjoy.

So, please be kind to the body that you’re in.

Do you need help with your eating?

AccessHC nutritionists and dietitians offer positive and non-judgmental services for people who would like support with food, eating, health and wellbeing.

Please reach out to us so we can help you.

Please note: sometimes people need to change their diets for a specific health reason. This is different to the yo-yoing of weight loss dieting.