Weight loss can be a tricky process. There seems to be conflicting information all over about what the best diet to follow is, what sort of workouts you should do for the best results, whether or not you should try out intermittent fasting, and more. And while there may not be a clear-cut “right” way to do all of these things, there are definitely a few crucial mistakes that health experts agree you should avoid at all costs if you want to lose weight. If you’ve found that you’re not progressing the way you’d like to on your weight loss journey, you could be making one of them.
To learn more about the most common dieting mistakes that could be holding you back from your goals, we spoke to physician David Seitz, MD from Ascendant Detox. He told us that not eating enough, eating too much junk food, and failing to eat the right foods are three pitfalls you should be careful to avoid. Read on to learn more about how each of these mistakes could be setting you back!
#1. Not Eating Enough
Believe it or not, Dr. Seitz says that not eating enough food is actually the most common dieting pitfall. Although you may think that skipping meals and eating as little as possible is the best way to lose weight quickly, it can take a serious toll on your health goals (and even your waistline) in the long run. "Too often, people make the mistake of skipping meals or drastically reducing calories in order to lose weight quickly," Dr. Seitz says. "However, this can be extremely detrimental to your health as it can lead to fatigue, nutrient deficiencies, a weakened immune system, and even depression." Yikes! Not only that, but any weight loss from extreme restriction will likely be gained back very quickly, so it's just not a good idea at all when it comes to dieting.
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#2. Eating Too Much Junk Food
While it's never a good idea to eat too little, it's also important to be careful about the foods you are eating. It shouldn't come as a surprise to hear that junk food is a serious no-go when it comes to weight loss. Processed foods will provide you practically no nutritional value with a surplus of calories, which can seriously thwart your fitness journey. "It can be easy to turn to processed foods, especially when you're in a hurry or don't feel like cooking," Dr. Seitz notes. "However, these foods are often high in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium, and can lead to weight gain and other health problems." For this reason, it's best to stick to whole, nutritious foods—more on that in the next point.
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#3. Not Eating the Right Foods
"A third pitfall when it comes to food and diet is not eating enough of the right kind of foods," Dr. Seitz tells us. "Eating too much of the wrong foods, such as processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars can lead to weight gain and other health problems." So, what exactly are the "right kinds of foods" as opposed to these bad ones? Ultimately, it's important to prioritize a balanced diet that can provide your body with all the nutrients it needs to thrive, function properly, stay energized, and burn calories efficiently. "Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is important for maintaining good health," Dr. Seitz explains. Got it!
All in all, the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your diet is nourishing your body with healthy foods every day. While your ideal meal plan will likely be personalized and unique to you, remembering to always eat enough, being sure not to go overboard on the junk food, and keeping your plate filled with nutritious whole foods will do wonders for anyone.
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