Fad diets come and go, but constantly changing diets with no promising results may not be sustainable. Personalized nutrition provides another way forward. Learn more about what it is and how it could become a better way to maintain your health.
Why Fad Diets Aren’t Always Successful
People love fad diets because they promise quick results through clear steps. You might read how it’s better to eat only meat, eliminate all carbs or strictly purchase vegan groceries. Regardless of which trendy eating regimen you try, it might feel challenging to maintain it.
Restrictive forms of eating create nutritional deficiencies and may lead to cravings. Eventually, you might fall back into old dining habits due to discouragement.
What Is Personalized Nutrition?
Personalized nutrition makes healthy eating smart. People following precision dining tailor their meals and snacks to what their body needs based on their health history and personal goals. You’re less likely to deal with nutritional deficiencies if your diet meets your body’s needs while working toward your desired results, like weight loss or muscle gain.
Think of a custom dietary regimen like a doctor writing a prescription. Before recommending a medication dosage, doctors must consider three variables for each patient — their genetic makeup, body size and diagnosed diseases. A nutritionist helping you form a precision diet would think about things like which eating fads didn’t honor your body, your current way of eating and your exercise routine to outline your nutritional needs. Trendy diets don’t do that because they’re supposed to appeal to all demographics.
Ways To Personalize Your Daily Nutrition
Achieving health goals is possible regardless of your experiences with trendy diets. Check out a few ways to personalize your daily meals and snacks so you feel like your food choices work with you instead of against you.
1. Meet With Health Care Experts
Custom diets don’t include guesswork. You should trust that your daily nutritional intake gives your body everything it needs to thrive. It’s much easier to reach that point if you meet with health care providers when you’re ready to change your food habits positively.
Your doctor can provide nutritional recommendations based on your preexisting medical conditions and medications. For example, they might want you to get more vitamin A to improve your immune system if you get sick frequently. Buying groceries with that vitamin would better align your diet with your nutritional needs.
You could also schedule an appointment at a nutritionist’s office. They’ll ask what you currently eat, what helped you get closer to your goals in the past and what nutritional deficiencies you want to address first. They’re the experts who can create custom meal plans and grocery lists to simplify your diet.
2. Work With Your Schedule
Daily schedules affect how anyone eats. Someone who drives commercial trucks for a living won’t have time to make meals like someone who clocks in remotely, so make a dietary game plan that aligns with your schedule.
Where you stop for a meal might also be part of your routine. If you frequently get fast food because you’re always out in town, browse those restaurant menus for healthier alternatives. Baking, steaming and grilling maintain your meal’s nutritional integrity compared to frying it.
3. Honor Your Food Preferences
If you wanted to try the cabbage soup diet, you wouldn’t do well if you don’t like cabbage or soup. Your precision meal plan shouldn’t focus on foods you don’t enjoy, either. Consider your preferences regarding things like:
- Allergies
- Intolerances
- Textures
- Flavors
Your preferences can also inform which foods you enjoy in moderation. If you know restricting yourself from all desserts quickly leads to cravings and binging, incorporate a healthy serving of a dessert once a day.
You might also be among the 90% of American adults who snack at least once every day. Pre-portioned, ready-to-eat nutritious bites may prevent overeating that derails your nutritional goals. A more realistic, personalized approach to your dining preferences will create a sustainable routine.
Achieve Your Goals With A Realistic Diet
Fad diets might look appealing, but your body deserves a comprehensive nutritional approach that meets your needs while achieving your goals. Talk with your doctor or nutritionist about an individualized meal plan instead. If your routine focuses on sustainable choices that help you thrive, eating habits tailored to your needs could make fad diets a thing of the past.
