If you’re going to make a dietary change, beware this one big, common pitfall.
It doesn’t matter if the change is because you want to cut calories, need to cut a food intolerance or allergy, or are making other changes for your health. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and cutting one “bad” food often leads to picking up more of another one.
For instance, a new warning says that people who cut saturated fats might be drawn to processed carbs, which negates the health benefits from the dietary change. Other studies have found a similar trend when people cut gluten, dairy, and other foods.
How to make a healthy change? Here’s the biggest tip: don’t go hungry.
Eat small snacks throughout the day. Nuts are a good source of fat—and offer their own health benefits—and they’re an easy thing to snack on.
But, don’t calorie count too much. Those 100 calories snack packs will only increase your hunger. To feel more full, go for snacks where you can eat your fill. To stick with the nut theme, peanut butter and celery or whole grain crackers, or pretty much any fruit or veggie will do. Hummus is another good option for veggie dipping.
Another key to a successful dietary change is planning ahead. Look for cultures that already have similar diets—the recipes will taste better than trendy cookbooks. And don’t wait until the last minute and try and do a substitute on an old recipe—it may work, or it may lead to a cheat meal if it doesn’t pan out.
Whenever you make a change, it’s important to have a back-up. Have a daily multivitamin in your routine, as a safety net for any nutrients you might miss. Vita One is a good all purpose multivitamin.
If you need an iron boost (say, you’re cutting red meat), try Blu-Lina Organic Spirulina as a multivitamin. Spirulina is an algae—perfect for vegetarians and other special diets. Not only does it have vitamins and minerals, it’s a prebiotic and also has enzymes—perfect for helping with digestion, especially as your gut gets used to changes.
Everyone’s cutting something—what does your plate look like these days?
