Fit with Brit: The Reality Behind Fad Diets

Welcome back to Fit with Brit! Last week, I shared a little bit about me and my health/fitness journey. Since then, I’ve gotten a few questions about nutrition and different methods of dieting, as well as which ones, if any, are the best.

A few of the more popular fad diets are low carb, keto, low fat, intermittent fasting, Weight Watchers, and paleo. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s bodies and needs are different. What works for one person might not work for another. Yet, all of these diets have one thing in common: they create a caloric deficit.

A caloric deficit means that you’re taking in less calories than you’re expending. Being in a caloric deficit is the only way to lose weight.

The keto diet creates a caloric deficit by creating a diet high in protein and fat, and extremely low in carbs. Intermittent fasting creates a caloric deficit by allowing you to eat during only a specific period, typically a few hours, throughout the day. Weight Watchers creates a caloric deficit by using a points system to control portion sizes. The paleo diet creates a caloric deficit by limiting the amount of processed food that you eat, and is a diet made up of “Paleolithic” foods. This means that you consume only the foods that were available during the Stone Age.

At the end of the day, all of these diets work by creating a caloric deficit. Although it is important to be aware of what you’re putting into your body, it’s not always necessary to go on one of these fad diets, or any other, to lose weight and reach your goals.

You can start by being aware of the number of calories and macros you consume in a day. A great tool for this is the MyFitnessPal app, which allows you to set goals for yourself and track what you eat in a day. From there, you can start to figure out how many calories/macros your body needs to change your body composition.

Trial and error is key when it comes to figuring out what’s best for you and your body. In my opinion, healthy eating doesn’t mean dieting. It’s about being aware of what you’re consuming through balance, moderation, and variety.

It is possible to enjoy the food you eat, and the lifestyle you live, and still reach your goals. Treat your body right and it will treat you right back!

Please comment/contact me through my social media with any questions or topics you’d like me to tackle in the future!