Diet. What do you think of when you read that word? If I had to guess I’d say things like salad, juice cleanses, and deprivation, probably come to mind. In our modern society diet is a word that has come to denote the act of controlling our nutritional intake for the sake of a goal, usually weight loss. Traditionally, though, diet is a word that describes the types of things a group of people eat based on need, availability, location, and custom. Today I’d like to chat about the differences between dieting, or eating for weight loss, and a diet.
I like to define diet as a method of eating with outlined parameters or common features. An eating paradigm if you will. Take my previous question about dieting. That could certainly also be described as a diet. A bit confusing, I know, but stick with me here. People who are dieting most likely share common features across the types of foods they choose to consume. When dieting salads, vegetables, and fruits typically play a big role. When dieting, things like soda, cookies, and candy are often eliminated. It is why we think of deprivation when we think of dieting. Cliches are cliché for a reason.
But we can also think of diets in a bigger sense. For example, certain religious customs have diet parameters. Side note: I am in no way picking on anyone who practices these customs, I am merely using this for illustrative purposes. Many Orthodox Jews choose to keep kosher. Kosher laws cover everything from how an animal is slaughtered to how the meat is prepared, consumed, and stored. Kosher laws also cover which kinds of things can be consumed. Which describes a diet since this particular group of people is following similar customs.
Keto, paleo, gluten free, vegan, Mediterranean, dairy free, Whole 30. Each one of these phrases is used also to describe a diet. A method of eating with outlined parameters or common features. An eating paradigm. And here is where the confusion comes in. Each of these diets, as well as many others that I won’t bore you by listing, can be looked at from the standpoint of dieting (weight loss) and from the standpoint of diet (lifestyle).
Take the Paleo Diet for just one example. This is a blueprint of eating that says we should eat like our cavepeople ancestors. Meaning a lot of things that can be hunted and gathered (meat, veggies, berries, nuts, etc.) form the bulk of what is being consumed. There is very little grain or sugar since these types of foods are cultivated and are post agricultural and therefore also post caveman.
From a dieting standpoint, you are abstaining from eating many things that are high in calories with Paleo. To lose weight, a calorie deficit must be attained. And cutting out sugar and flour is one proven way to do that. From a diet standpoint, this method of eating is very beneficial for people who may have gluten or dairy sensitivities as foods containing those compounds are consumed in very small amounts.
So, from the same eating paradigm, there are different benefits. The important thing to keep in mind when distinguishing a diet from dieting is the end goal. If the ultimate goal is to manage weight, then a calorie deficit must be achieved over time. For our bodies to burn stored fat, we must be consuming fewer calories than we need over time. This is true regardless of exactly what types of foods are supplying those calories. This very simple premise is what makes Weight Watchers (which says you can consume anything as long as you stay within your point allowance – aka calorie allowance – for the day) so popular. It is also what makes juice cleanses so tempting.
If the ultimate goal for a method of eating is to help control the symptoms of an underlying condition and/or to help you feel your best, then you need to take the time to find what works for your system. If you have an underlying condition (i.e. allergies or sensitivities) it might be easier to find what you need. If that isn’t the case, you’ll need to pay attention to the cues your body gives you. I’ve mentioned a few times around here, I am Italian and I love me some good bread. I don’t love how my tummy feels when I have had too much, though. So while I am not gluten free, I take care to make sure that my carbohydrate intake comes from a variety of different sources.
And whether you are dieting or just trying to find your diet, it should be said that real food is always best. As much as you can, stay away from prepared or prepackaged foodstuff. Those items lack many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other yet undiscovered vital chemicals that are important for our overall health and wellbeing.
What type of diet has worked best for your in terms of weight management? In terms of feeling optimal? Tell us in the comments!
Until next time, be well friends!
