Making “Healthy” Mistakes for Weight Loss
Posted: Nov 10 in Weight Loss Blog by Staff
Vegan, Gluten Free, Vegetarian—chances are you’ve come across these dietary terms before. Whether listed on a menu or touted by a friend who is discussing their dietary preferences, just about everyone is familiar with the idea of these particular diets. But the reality is that most people who adopt these dietary lifestyles don’t do so in the interest of weight loss, and some people don’t actually experience any health benefits from following this way of eating.
Be wary of jumping onto a dietary bandwagon without doing your research first. While cutting out some types of foods can help you reach your weight loss goals, cutting out other items may not actually be overly beneficial. This is often the case with some of the most popular dietary trends, including vegetarian, vegan, and even gluten free diet options. If you are looking to lose weight, then you need to be mindful to choose a weight loss diet. Not all of these dietary trends have weight loss support in mind, and that could put you through unnecessary stress and dietary restriction. Before making any changes to your diet it is a good idea to talk to your weight loss surgeon to find out what dietary strategies are best for you and your personal needs.
The Unhealthy Healthy Eater
When you first have a look at the gluten free diet, you may be shocked to think that it is possible to just give up bread and cake in favor of fruits and vegetables. Most people gasp in a similar way at the idea of saying goodbye to every animal product, from your morning yogurt to your dinner-time steak, in an effort to adopt a vegan or vegetarian diet.
But the reality is that these dietary plans are not all about restriction, but instead about substitution; and for this reason are not always the healthiest option. A vegan diet can be heavy in egg-free breads and dairy-free ice cream. A gluten free diet can be rich in gluten-free cake and cookies.
Each of these dietary trends can be healthy when practiced positively, and frequently offer benefits outside of weight loss support, such as autoimmune support or cholesterol reduction, but if weight loss is your primary objective then these diet plans may not be your best choice.
Too many people attempt to follow a dietary plan that isn’t designed for weight loss, and then grow frustrated when the weight loss results aren’t evident. If you are hoping to achieve lasting weight loss, then work with a weight loss surgeon from the start. Your weight loss surgeon can help you find a dietary plan that fits your personal needs, one that will help you achieve lasting weight loss.