The Problem with Dieting

By Alexandra Caspero on January 23, 2015

If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know how I feel about most diets. Mainly, that I hate them. Like nails on a chalkboard, nothing annoys me more than hearing about some new diet trend or fad.

It’s not that they don’t work. Honestly, most fad diets will help you lose weight (weight! Not necessarily fat, which is a huge difference) but then what? If you’re like most people, you gain the weight back. And rinse and repeat. It’s a vicious cycle that tears down our self-esteem, self-worth, and zest for enjoying foods.

Most of my clients come to me as a last ditch effort to rid themselves of dieting forever. They’ve been on the diet roller coaster for years, decades even, and are ready to go “all-in” at one last attempt to lose weight. They tend to also come with a healthy dose of frustration; saddened that they can’t do it on their own, angry because they don’t have the will-power to follow a plan. This is why I dislike diets so much. None of these things are true, but traditional dieting is designed to make you feel this way.

A Registered Dietitian Explains The Problem With Traditional Diets And Why You Don'T Need To Follow One To Lose Weight Successfully.

Diets are born out of restriction. Do this. Do that. Don’t eat this, and definitely don’t eat that. Rules! Ironically, rules are what makes dieting appealing to begin with. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients say to me ‘just tell me exactly what to eat and I’ll follow it.’ The idea of not being in control, not trusting our own body and its needs, is what draws us to the diet. Most of my clients believe they can’t be trusted around food. Therefore, if there are specific rules to follow, all black/white with no grey, then they will be successful! This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Restriction leads to deprivation and then to guilt. Denying food (like everything else in life) makes it that much more appealing. While I consider myself to be a healthy eater, I am a brownie girl. I love brownies and can’t imagine them not fitting into my healthy eating plan. Now let’s say I told myself I couldn’t have brownies. I would be able to hold off for a while, kindly passing on brownies whenever offered. “No thanks! I’m on my diet!” Eventually, I would start to really crave brownies. Every dieter knows that the moment you can’t have something, you want it. When the time finally comes where I cave and eat a brownie, I likely won’t have a small serving. More than likely, I would eat 2, 3, or 4 squares because I was ‘cheating’ on my diet and would ‘start back again tomorrow’. After an hour or two of eating the brownies, the guilt starts to set in. How could I have been so weak? I have no will power! Dieting guilt makes us feel ashamed, low, and worthless. And the circle then repeats again, starting with restriction.

A Registered Dietitian Explains The Problem With Traditional Diets And Why You Don'T Need To Follow One To Lose Weight Successfully.

Maybe that was a little bit more dramatic than you wanted, but I think it demonstrates our common dieting feelings and behaviors. I’ve see this cycle so many times I’ve lost count. Instead of restriction, try permission. It’s a small change that allows you to take back the power of food/eating.

Besides restriction, the biggest reason that we tend to hop on and off the diet train is that traditional fad diets don’t teach or inspire any lasting habits. You learn to follow a specific meal plan or list of ‘good foods’ and ‘bad foods’ and that’s it. They pretend to teach nutrition, but only select parts that strengthen the diet. You don’t learn why you eat, emotional connections to food, nutrition, food preparation, cooking skills, etc. Before embarking on any diet, ask yourself- “Could you do this plan for the rest of your life?” If the answer is no, it’s not a lifestyle. It’s a diet.

I originally planned on writing this article in time for the New Year; aka the most profitable month for juice cleanses, detox programs, and diet books. Then I remembered that most people who lay out diet goals as a New Year’s resolution tend to fizzle out around week 3, which is exactly where we are today. So, if you know someone who vowed to make this year different and is struggling, I invite you to share with them this article on why diets don’t work.

Thoughts? Comments? I’d love to keep this conversation going! Let me know what you think.

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Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

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    1. Confessions of A Mother Runner
      January 31, 2015 AT 12:45 pm

      I totally agree with everything you’ve said and that’s been my philosophy for many years. Diets do not work! Changing your lifestyle and eating healthy foods works.

    2. Amy @ Amy’s Healthy Baking
      January 27, 2015 AT 4:48 pm

      Thank you. That’s all. 🙂

    3. Bri Wilson
      January 27, 2015 AT 6:59 am

      Couldn’t agree more! I like to have clients add things in in small incremental steps as opposed to restricting, like eat one more serving of veggies per day, drinking one more glass of water, etc.

      1. DK
        January 31, 2015 AT 8:37 am

        Yes! I am with you there as well! Small goals ADD up and are much less overwhelming than a total diet overhaul!

    4. Lauren
      January 26, 2015 AT 6:31 pm

      Yes! Looks like all the RDs here agree 🙂 It’s exactly why I use Intuitive Eating because someone could be eating incredibly well and physically healthy but still struggle with the mindset and all that stress.

    5. shawsimpleswaps@gmail.com
      January 23, 2015 AT 6:43 pm

      What’s the first three letters of diet… “DIE”, #neverworks! Great post Alex, I think all your fellow RD’s out there feel ya!

      1. Sinful Nutrition
        January 24, 2015 AT 6:06 am

        Love this! Couldn’t agree more. RD Love!

    6. GiGi Eats Celebrities
      January 23, 2015 AT 12:51 pm

      I couldn’t agree more! I ABHORRRRRRR diets! ABHOR THEM!!!! Lifestyle changes people! Diets are these stupid trends that last for 3 weeks and then people think they’re good and can go back to their old eating habits! It’s baffling to me! UGH!!!! You said it sista!!! They don’t work! It’s all about changing your mind set and incorporating WHOLE HEALTHFUL FOODS INTO YOUR LIFE!

    7. Elizabeth A. RDN
      January 23, 2015 AT 12:26 pm

      Looks like we were on the same page for today’s post! I ALWAYS ask people if they could follow their diet for the rest of their lives. Usually the answer is no. Love what you have to say here!

    8. Katie
      January 23, 2015 AT 10:55 am

      Exactly…a message worthy sharing. Thank you.

    9. Rebecca P.
      January 23, 2015 AT 10:41 am

      This is EXACTLY how I feel! I hate when people talk about wanting diet or all the diets they go on. It is ridiculous. Diets don’t work. The only thing anyone should be doing is eating real whole foods and exercising for their optimal body/mind performance and health! It is a lifestyle!

    10. Deryn Macey
      January 23, 2015 AT 10:08 am

      Great points! Love the outlook and it’s so true. I always say the best and only diet is the one you can maintain and ENJOY for life. Thanks for sharing.

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