Why I Don’t Prescribe to Any One Particular Diet

As a nutrition health coach, one of the most common questions I get asked is, "What diet do you recommend?" My answer often surprises people because I don't prescribe to one particular diet. In fact, I believe that following any strict dietary regimen is not only unnecessary, but it can also be detrimental to your health in the long run.

the 3 stages of unsustainable dieting summed up beautifully here with lettuce & a fork.

Or should it be a fork’n’lettuce?

See what I did there?

Anyhow let’s get back to it. Allow me to explain my position.

First of all, diets are not sustainable.

Most people who go on a diet end up regaining all the weight they lost, and often even more. This is because diets are usually too restrictive and hard to maintain in the long term. They can leave you feeling deprived, hungry, and frustrated. Plus, they often require you to cut out entire food groups or restrict your calorie intake to unhealthy levels, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies, metabolic damage, and other health issues.

Secondly, diets are not personalised.

Every person's body is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. Your age, gender, genetics, lifestyle, health conditions, and other factors all play a role in determining what your body needs to function optimally. A one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition simply doesn't work. In fact, it can do more harm than good by causing you to ignore your body's individual needs and signals.

Thirdly, diets promote a black-and-white mentality.

They teach you to view food as either "good" or "bad", "allowed" or "forbidden", which can create a toxic relationship with food. When you label foods as off-limits, you're more likely to crave them, binge on them and feel guilty or ashamed when you eat them. This can lead to disordered eating patterns, such as binge eating, emotional eating, or orthorexia.

So what to do instead?

Instead of following a diet, I encourage my clients to adopt a more flexible and intuitive approach to eating. This means learning to listen to your body's hunger and fullness cues, eating a variety of whole, nutrient-dense foods that you enjoy, and practicing mindful eating. It also means being kind and compassionate towards yourself when you do indulge in less healthy foods, instead of beating yourself up or feeling guilty.

Well that’s lovely Kerryn…. But how the heck do your clients know what to eat if they aren’t following a diet? The answer is simple: they LEARN about the content of foods, they LEARN about what their bodies need in order to look, feel & function better and then they eat REAL food that supports their goals.

This means focusing on whole, unprocessed foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.

Choosing a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and the occasional fun food.

Paying attention to how different foods make them feel, and adjusting their intake accordingly.

For example, if you feel bloated or sluggish after eating a lot of processed foods, try adding more fibre-rich veggies to your meals instead.

But looking, feeling & functioning better is more than just diet alone. It's also important to consider your lifestyle factors that impact your health. This includes stress management, sleep quality, physical activity, and social connections. All of these factors play a crucial role in your overall well-being, and neglecting any of them can lead to negative health outcomes.

So that is why I don't prescribe to one particular diet because I believe that diets are not sustainable, personalised, or healthy for most people. Instead, I encourage my clients to adopt a flexible approach to eating, based on real, whole foods and their individual needs. By doing so, they can nourish their bodies, enjoy their food, and flourish in all aspects of their lives.

Need help? I am always happy to chat with anyone needing a hand or curious about how I have helped so many clients achieve their body goals with nutrition.