Have you heard? Today, May 6th, is International No Diet Day (INDD) and boy are we going to celebrate!

Besides harming physical health,  dieting takes a toll on emotional health, self-esteem and more often than not, it makes a dent in the finances too. So having a No Diet Day, is definitely worth celebrating.

 

What International No Diet Day is about

• The importance of living a no-diet life

• Developing a healthy relationship with your body and with your food

• Celebrating body diversity

• Spreading the word that diets just don’t work

• Raising awareness about the fine line between food/weight obsession and eating disorders

• Learning to take pleasure in the foods you eat

• Recognizing that everybody has the right to nourish themselves with real food, no matter weight, shape or size

So in honor of INDD, I want to help you recognize a diet when you see one, so you can be more critical and sensitive to the ways you are being mislead. Here’s today’s video, where I discuss 5 signs that your diet is a fad.

 

 

5 signs your diet is a fad

1) Your diet comes with a promise. 

To accurately predict weight loss, a person’s requirements, activity level and willingness to change (among other factors) must be considered.

 

 

So how does a one size fits all diet, guarantee weight loss?  It’s restrictive. To the point that any person, regardless of factors mentioned above, will shed pounds quickly which, as we’ve discussed before, is not a recommended. Also, fad diets are often calorie-focused  when in reality, it’s so important to go beyond the calories.  The quality of your calories, the timing of your food, the quality of your sleep…all critical elements to consider, that diets just don’t.

2) Your diet comes with a product. 

You shouldn’t need to rely on a product to see results. First, I don’t know of any product that produces any noticeable or lasting effect, if no other lifestyle changes are made. So whether you’re being sold a product, a pill or a high-protein (sugar-laced) shake, pass on it. Even if they claim it is supported by research, it’s very likely that this research was funded by the very company trying to sell you their product.

3) Your diet promotes a miracle food.

There are no miracle foods. Now, I love grapefruit, cabbage and coconut, and you should eat them all if you enjoy them. But know that when they get you thinking that a food will cause weight loss, it’s an illusion. While diets distract you with their magic food, your results are caused by what’s really happening: you’re cutting down on unhealthier alternatives.

4) Your diet displays a picture of “perfection.” 

Those flat tummy  pictures are far from reality. Instead of chasing ideals that are unrealistic and hurt your body image, you should be learning to accept your body as it is and build confidence. Only then, will you break the cycle and finally see the value in properly nourishing your body with real food rather than resorting to crash diets, on a hunt for “perfection”.

 5) Your diet comes with a prescriptive plan

Most diets tell you what to do, leaving you with nothing to do but follow the rules. Instead, we should be encouraging you to make food decisions, learning what to eat and how to eat by teaching you about hunger and fullness cues, since these are the habits that result in proper lifestyle change.

Ways you can celebrate No Diet Day

Ditch the diet: This means no dieting (obviously) but it also means no diet talk, no reading about Hollywood diet trends, no gushing over those “motivating” pictures on Pinterest and no weight-related comments for the day.

Be mindful: Listen to your hunger and fullness cues

Celebrate your body and do something for YOU:  take a day off, go for a walk or pick up that dress you’ve had your eye on but have been waiting to lose weight before buying.

Eat Real Food: Your body deserves nourishing foods. NOT diet foods.

Do small things every day, that promote health and  that leave you feeling great. Move your body, cook from scratch, sit down at the table for meals. Remember that the goal is progress, not perfection. If you’re doing better today than yesterday, then you’re doing just fine.

Reach out: Of course, if you struggle with body acceptance, compulsive eating or are looking to reach your goals healthfully, then meet with a professional who can tailor something to your needs and offer the support, guidance and encouragement that diets cannot.

Help spread the word that diets don’t work by tweeting it:

In honour of #NoDietDay I will ditch the diet, celebrate my body, listen to my cues and eat real food. 

 

Learn more about No Diet Day

• Visit Equlibre.ca a Quebec non profit organization on a mission to reduce body image related issues.
• Visit NEDIC.ca for the history of International No Diet Day along with other ressources and ways you can get involved

 

How will you celebrate No Diet Day? Can you think of another sign of a fad diet?