Some thoughts and discussions from me.
What are Your Thoughts on the Paleo, Gluten-Free, IIFYM, Low Carb Diet?
It often astounds me over how much hoopla, dogma, and stress goes into the way we eat. Our diets.
A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on fad diets that elaborated on this, and why fad diets (sometimes) work. Today, however, I thought I’d answer a much more generic question I get asked fairly often:
“What are your thoughts on X Diet?”
Sub ‘X’ for paleo, gluten-free, iifym, low-carb, you name it. I always have a tough time giving a 1-2 sentence answer here, but today, I thought I’d do my best to put it in a blog post.
Now, before I go on, I want you to know that I do have two different answers to this question:
Answer #1 is directed toward the general public, including friends and family
Answer #2 is directed to my clients, excluding those who simply ask for my advice. Why this exclusion? When someone – even a friend or family – comes to me simply asking advice, and not hiring me as their coach or trainer, 99% of the time there’s one of two outcomes:
- Outcome A: Person asking for advice is only asking to re-affirm what they already believe. They’ll only listen if what I tell them is what they want to hear.
- Outcome B: Person isn’t really ready to follow advice, so my hard work and energy that goes into trying to help is fruitless.
With that clarification out of the way, let’s get to it!
My Thoughts on Diet ‘X’ for the General Public
I mentioned it’s hard to write a 1-2 sentence answer to that question, but my answer toward the general public can actually be summed up in only 5 letters:
Listen, yes, I’m saying this to make a point, but I’m not saying it to be insensitive. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. I don’t give a crap how anyone eats who isn’t one of my clients because it’s simply not my business. It’d likely be wasted energy on both my and their part to make it my business.
I’ve mentioned before that I subscribe to Byron Katie’s belief that there are three types of business in this world:
1. Mine.
2. Yours.
3. God’s.
In my experience, the world is a much happier place when I stay in the business of #1.
[Tweet “My Thoughts On Your Diet via @TrainerPaige #fitfluential”]
My Thoughts on Diet ‘X’ for My Clients
Surprisingly, it’s not the complete opposite answer here. I never (ever) tell my clients what to eat or what not to eat, as I don’t prescribe “meal plans.” I’ve done that in the past, and have found MUCH more success in terms of clients’ sanity and results in a different method, which focuses more on overall nutrition and intake.
Instead, I subscribe to the belief that if my clients are getting adequate nutrition, and not doing themselves a disservice, whichever diet they choose is fine. That said, depending on which diet they choose, we make some changes and additions in order to get adequate nutrition.
I also give some words of caution:
- be very careful with diets that eliminate food groups – this can throw off your micronutrients, and has the tendency to make folks a little batty after a while
- make sure to get enough protein in diets that restrict major sources of it (or any macronutrient, for that matter)
- it’s very important to eat for your activity level, and that includes overall intake and macronutrient ratios
- veggies are super duper important
Of course, it’s more in depth than that, but you get my gist.
My Personal Diet
I have been around (and around) the gamut when it comes to my diet. I’ve been a vegetarian, I’ve eaten low carb, I’ve eaten paleo and gluten-free, and after the entire go-around, have found that my happiest and healthiest self is just eating food. I don’t place anything on restriction. I eat meat, fruit, dairy, beans, grains, bread, veggies, and *gasp* even processed food and sugar sometimes.
I’ve found this to be the most freeing for me mentally and emotionally, and I actually feel I’m the healthiest when I eat like this – even during the times I’m focusing on fat loss.
There’s no food anxiety, there’s plenty of energy for my workouts and daily activities, there’s a present 28-day cycle, and sleep is (mostly) on point.
That said, I leave my personal diet there —>with me.
So, of course I want to know from you!
[Tweet “My Thoughts on Paleo/GlutenFree/Vegan/IIFYM/X Diet via @TrainerPaige”]
What are your thoughts on the different diets out there? Any thoughts on one specifically?
LOVE THIS POST. I agree with both of your approaches to answering this question. It really is all about what works for YOU. And I follow much of the same diet (or really lack thereof) that you do. All the food groups in moderation!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! recently posted…Four Ways to Unwind at Night
You are seriously my favorite girl. I love your approach.
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Easy Guide to Brewing Kombucha
YEP! Just eating food is where it’s at girl!
Yep – for me, at least! 😉
love love love your outlook. this post is great. i am curious to know what your thoughts on whole30 are, esp since it’s an elimination diet..but i guess only temporarily. great post darling!
See post above LOL
Personally, my own experience with elimination diets ultimately lead to the fact that any allergy I ever thought I had to any food was in my head. But – I know that’s not the case with everyone. The only thing I’ve found that really affects ME is dairy – and that’s only when I eat/drink it right before a workout due to the insulin spike. And of course sugar in moderation.
Yep, I’m right there with ya! Whenever I’ve tried any sort of elimination diet, my body just craves it even more, and I often find myself lacking in energy and missing out on fun times! I go with the everything in moderation approach, and it works for me!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…Hunter Has Some News to Share…
This is such a great post. There’s so much in it that I absolutely believe in.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…Weekly Workouts February 15 to 21, 2015
So so great!! I sometimes think that people create these diets just to get around to what they like. Once they start elimianting food groups and reach outside their diet they start experiencing discomfort and jump back to their diet. Of course your body will react awkwardly if it wasn’t fed that food for a long time. My take is everything that makes you happy and feel good in moderation!
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness recently posted…Why You Should Wait to “Peel Off” and Reveal Your Potential
I believe that everyone just needs to do what works for them healthwise. I eat Paleo and LOVE it! But it works for me and my body and fitness activity. I don’t push it on anybody but I will explain why I do it and why I love it. I just want to encourage people to be healthy and to take care of their body with good foods.
Yep, same here!
um… yes. AMEN sista. I call it, the whatever floats your boat diet.
Fully agreed! I share your opinion here all the way. While I’m a vegetarian I respect everybody’s diet whatever it might be – as long as it’s their happy (!) diet. As in: not a set of restrictive rules that hold them back from enjoying the food and life they actually want to. Because the only time I disagree with whichever diet somebody is following is when it’s obvious there’s restriction hiding in it. I’ve seen it in people before and that in itself is simply a disorder in disguise. Veganism used to be that for me for some time so I rid myself of the label and it helped me a lot. Any time we deny ourselves food because it “doesn’t fit our diets” it’s a sign they might not be that healthy and right for us after all.
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I love, love, love this! Couldn’t agree more…and it took me a while to get to this place too 🙂
Natalie!! I miss you! Lunch date soon?? xoxo
Fantastic post! The only time Ive dabbled in any kind of “diet” was going vegan for a while, for moral reasons. But I felt like crap, so it didn’t last. Now, I’m just like you. Nothing is off the table and I feel like I get a really nice, well-rounded diet this way. Everyone has to learn for themselves what works, but I do hate to see all the restriction that there is out there.
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