About 45,000,000 Americans go on some sort of diet every year. With a 66% obesity rate in the United States, this comes as no surprise. However, many people also make mistakes during their dieting that actually do more harm than good.
If you’re planning on starting a new diet in 2022, here are 5 things you should know while you make changes to your eating habits.
1. Nutrients matter more than calories
Many dieters make the mistake of simply counting calories throughout the day and thinking that will help them make healthier food choices. However, the nutrients that you take in are actually more important than the amount of calories you consume. You can stick to the suggested 2,000 daily diet without ever giving your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to function best. Choose more fruits, veggies, and whole foods to fill you up when you’re hungry.
2. Don’t focus on numbers
Contrary to popular belief, having a lower weight on the scale doesn’t always mean that you’re actually healthier. Measurements like your BMI (body mass index) are actually more accurate in telling you how much muscle and fat your body stores. Even more important is how you feel, which is something that’s hard to measure. Keeping a journal that tracks your mood and energy levels each day so that you can make diet choices that help you feel your best.
3. Drink lots and lots of water
Besides hydration, drinking water throughout the day is a surprisingly important digestive aid. Water helps to break down your foods even further by quickening your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. If you want your digestive system to work properly, drink a glass of water either with or after your meal. Your body will thank you for it.
4. Make long-lasting habits
You don’t want your diet to be a quick fix, leading to dramatic weight loss. If you don’t create healthy habits that you can incorporate into your daily routine, you’ll eventually gain all of that weight back and more. Let your diet motivate you to start changing your sleep hygiene or propel you to exercise more. That way, the improvements you’re making with your current diet will last long into the future.
5. Be kind to yourself
It’s not necessary to make yourself miserable while you go on a diet. If you give in to a craving or don’t lose as much weight as you want to, there’s no reason to beat yourself up over it. Be kind to yourself when you make mistakes! This self-assurance will help you maintain the motivation you need to stick with your diet until you see the results you want.
