Kerri Waldron
If you are following a diet plan in order to lose weight, but it suddenly lost its “pizzazz,” then it may be time to reassess what your plan lacks and what you need to do in order to improve your plan of attack. Here are six signs that your diet plan is bad news.
#1 – Your Diet Plan Lacks Variety
A healthy diet should feature a variety of nutrient dense and delicious foods. Therefore, your diet plan may be bad news if it does not offer you enough in variety, both in taste and in health benefits.
You do not have to sacrifice flavor when it comes to dieting. You can eat a healthy balance of calorically low and nutrition-rich foods without having to settle for bland substitutes.
Use lots of herbs and spices to bring flavor without a ton of calories or fat. Cook on an open flame to add flavor to meat, fish, and poultry. Fresh produce has a lot of flavor, for example, grape tomatoes, avocados, and steamed vegetables.
Therefore, if your diet plan confines you to eating only certain foods, or drinking diet shakes at certain times of the day, it is time to review the plan and establish a meal itinerary that is as varied as it is nutritional. You may also obtain some inspiration by contacting a nutritionist and asking her to assist you in establishing a healthy plan.
Meal Suggestions
A lunch or dinner entrée may include broiled or baked chicken or fish, two sides of vegetables, whole-wheat toast, and a salad with cherry tomatoes and carrots with a low-calorie vinaigrette.
Great Food Choices
Some nutrient-rich, low calorie delicious foods that can kick-start a faltering “bad news” diet include:
• Spinach – Eaten in one of a variety of ways (sautéed, baked, boiled, steamed or fresh), this healthy lean green is packed with vitamins A, C and E, calcium and folic acid.
• Sweet potatoes – A healthy and delicious source of nutrition, sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin B-6. The vegetable is notably recognized for improving one’s skin and eyesight.
• Salmon – Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein and vitamins D and B-12, this fish should be eaten at least twice a week.
• Oatmeal – For a snack, eat an oatmeal bar. Eating oats or oatmeal regularly lowers cholesterol and promotes the health of the heart.
• Blueberries – Guard against age-related diseases by including fruits, especially blueberries, on the dietary menu. The fruit is well known for its phytonutrient content and anti-oxidant qualities. It’s also perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
You can include any of the above delicious and nutritious foods in a diet plan that will never be boring or bad news.
Healthful Desserts
You don’t have to pass up the dessert cart on a diet if you know what good-for-you, low-calorie desserts to consume. For example, yogurt Jello only contains 48 calories while roasted butternut squash is an innovative dessert substitution, which is under 100 calories. Fresh fruit is always a good choice.
#2 – Your Diet Plan Is Bad News If It Does Not Include Exercise
When a weight loss plan does not include exercise, it is bad news. Exercise is key to good health, weight loss, and boosting metabolism so you can burn more while at rest. Exercise also improves mood and alleviates stress, both of which are key to healthy weight loss.
#3 – Your Diet Plan Is Bad News If You Are Feeling Tired, Anxious, Or Depressed
If you are following a fad diet plan, you are probably not feeling your best. Fad or extreme diets that do not provide enough calories or nutrients can throw off the balance of electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration, tiredness, and negative feelings.
Starving yourself can also lead to a lack of energy, depression, anger, and anxiety. This type of diet will never lead to long-term results because it is not something anyone can stick with for the long term, and most will wind up giving up and regaining more weight than they may have lost.
#4 – Your Diet Is Not Satisfying Your Cravings
If you do not feel satisfied by the foods you are eating, then you need to get back on track and include foods that satisfy your hunger or any cravings you have during the day. Protein foods, such as peanut butter, nuts, lean beef, chicken, and turkey, digest more slowly, thereby keeping you more satisfied throughout the day.
#5 – Your Diet Is Bad News If You Have Gained Weight
Naturally, the whole idea of a healthy diet is to help you lose weight rather than gain it. Weight gain can occur for many reasons, stress, eating more calories than you burn, or eating unhealthy foods.
#6 – Your Diet Is Bad News If It’s Temporary
One of the pitfalls of weight loss is choosing to go “on a diet.” This implies a temporary situation that once you get “off the diet” you can go back to eating as you did before. This is a self-defeating plan that will never yield long-term healthy weight results.
The only way to lose weight and keep it off forever is to change your habits and learn to make healthy choices, both in the way you eat and how you exercise.
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