Strict Dietary Guidelines Can Boost Cravings for Restricted Foods

Most fad diets work on the principle of restricting the consumption of certain foods while recommending the dietary intake of other food products. However, the biggest reason that dieters yo-yo between diets is that these diets do not involve adopting any of the lasting habits needed for weight maintenance. As the American way of life changed significantly following World War II, dozens of new diets were so restricted in calories that everybody lost weight. Unfortunately, most of the weight returned once the diet was stopped. Although certain diets can be shown to work better in particular situations, current research does not support one weight loss plan over another.

For the most part, a person's weight loss goals do not change. You either realize your goals, or rationalize them away when achieving them gets too tough due to issues such as:

• FOOD GROUP BANS - Diets that restrict consumption of one or more food groups are not recommended because they can result in nutritional deficiencies, which can impact optimal health. A personalized diet is needed to ensure balance and proper nutrition.
• EMOTIONAL EATING - Determine the root cause behind the emotions that are driving you to overeat. Recognize that emotional eating stems from anxiety, self-doubt, disappointment, etc. and figure out what you need to do to fix the root problem.
• DIET CULTURE - A diet culture is a population that focuses on the values of weight, shape and size while minimizing the need for restoring health and well-being. Any misguided mindset can harm one's diet regardless of age or gender.
• FRUSTRATING STANDSTILL - Dieters often find themselves frustrated and confused over the results of their last diet as they continue to search for their next diet. Following strict dietary guidelines invariably leads to craving restricted foods, which most often ends in a negative experience.
• NOT SEEING CHANGE - Since many weight loss programs add exercise or weight training to the plan, you may not see a change in your actual weight. If you lose a pound of fat and gain a pound of muscle, you weight stays the same even though you are losing inches.
• SELF-SABOTAGE MINDSET - The key to making healthier, lower-calorie food choices is to become good at compromising with yourself. When you avoid self-sabotage, you will be able to keep unwanted cravings under control.

The American Diet contributes to some of the leading chronic illnesses and increases our risk for numerous diseases, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and cancers. Here at the Metabolic Research Center, we show you how eating whole foods can help to fill up, which will leave you feeling like you've eaten enough whether you ate more carbs, fats or protein. Our personalized diet plans empower your weight-loss success. Paying attention to your body, listening for appetite cues, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will result in long-term weight loss. Let Metabolic Research Center help you increase your metabolism by eating healing foods.