Some of the information about food and diet out there is quite frankly bonkers! And who can blame us for being confused when there’s so much conflicting information out there.
Here are two myths that can be cleared up in a jiffy…
Myth #1: If you eat fat, you’ll get fat!
Fact: Eating fat helps us lose fat. Our bodies also need it to function efficiently …for instance we often crave fatty foods in winter-time …that’s because fat helps to keep us warm. It also helps transport vitamins A, D, E and K to tissues throughout our bodies, to regulate our hormones and to keep our nervous systems in tip-top working order. Fat fills us up too and it provides energy …and believe it or not, if we give our bodies healthy fats, then they’re more likely to release those often hard to shift stored fats that we carry.
The government recommendation is to keep your fat intake at around 35% of your total daily food intake. Obviously if one of your health goals is to lose weight, then it makes sense to keep this figure a little lower. Moral of the story …figure out what’s the right amount for you.
What to choose: Avocados, raw nuts, seeds and their oils, coconut oil and butter. If you go for dairy options, always go with full-fat; you’ll feel fuller and more satisfied on lower quantities that low-fat, processed options.
Myth #2: Food cravings are annoying so just ignore them and they’ll go away!
Fact: Actually cravings are our friend because they help us to identify what our bodies need.
For instance:
:: Salt cravings can often indicate mineral deficiencies in the body
:: If you’re coping with stress and anxiety by having the odd glass (or bottle) of wine or two, it’s the equivalent of self-medicating; alcohol may be a relaxant, but it’s also a depressant so watch out for that one.
:: Sugar cravings often suggest that there’s not enough protein in the diet …or that we’re missing some sweetness in our lives; a hug can be just so much more powerful than that easy to reach for chocolate bar.
Chocolate bars or a stiff G&T might feel like they’ll fix things in the short-term, but what happens the next day when you wake up with a dreaded hangover …or over the longer term when you’ve put on weight?
What to choose: The root cause is always a good place to start. It may be a good multi-vitamin and/or mineral or simply choosing a higher quality product like dark chocolate over milk. Have a look at the wider picture too …is your job stressing your out? Are you fighting in your relationships? It’s time to get real …food won’t fill those gaps in a million years.
In a nutshell, there is no perfect diet. It’s figuring out what’s right for you that counts. We all have an innate intelligence re what our bodies need yet we often just don’t listen. Tapping into our intuition around foods can be so so powerful but it takes time and practice.
Don’t stress about your diet …just get a new Attitude to Food!
