Diets in comparison
In a previous article we have dealt with why diets do not work. But it would be wrong to say in general terms that they are pointless. In sporting terms: Diets follow a plan, similar to a training plan. They create awareness of nutrition and make changes possible. However, most diets are known from magazines. There they are accessible to many and here is the first problem: there is a lack of individualisation. A further flip side is that the often very one-sided diet is then also to be followed in the long term. Mostly diets only work until it becomes strenuous, questions arise and uncertainty arises. Then you quickly fall back into an old pattern.
Nevertheless, we would like to give you a short insight into the most common diets and especially point out critical aspects.
Atkins Diet and Low Carb
This diet is based on the consumption of fat and protein. Carbohydrates are reduced to 20 grams at the beginning. The aim is to get the body to build up ketone bodies, which should increase the fat burning in the cells.
The biggest problem with this diet is that hardly any water-soluble vitamins are taken through fruit and vegetables. Fibre must also be supplemented. Due to the lack of carbohydrates, there is hardly an energetic basis for peak performance. The diet allows for a constant energy level, but hardly allows for energy boosts.
Low Fat Diet
This diet form represents the antithesis to the Atkins diet. Fat is reduced to a minimum and the proportion of protein and carbohydrates varies depending on the diet form. The idea behind it, that a lower fat intake means a lower body fat percentage is fundamentally wrong.
The biggest criticism, however, is that reduced fat intake can lead to a lack of fat-soluble vitamins. Furthermore, fat is a carrier of taste and food should also be a pleasure. Those who deprive themselves of this pleasure component in the long term usually suffer a major relapse into old patterns.
Intermittend Fasting
During intermittent fasting, the basic idea is not to consume any food for long periods of time. The aim is to train the burning of fat and to relieve the digestive system. From different sources come different time formats. In the 16/8 method, for example, fasting lasts 16 hours, while food intake is allowed for the remaining 8 hours. This mode also takes place in other divisions, in which one may also eat for one day and fast for one day. If the hour formats often lack a more precise scientific basis, two things are certain. The intake of food at fixed times helps us to gain awareness of nutrition. Precisely because in our civilization, all food is available at all times. Secondly, there are numerous studies that medically accompanied fasting can promote health.
It is also clear that this form of diet is often not compatible with the social environment and that it requires a strong will to go through with it. If you want to approach this issue, it requires good planning.
An attempt at a summary
In addition to individualisation, knowledge and guidance are the keys to making a lasting change. Which nutritional form it is then, is secondary. The main thing is that it works.
Successful nutrition training starts with individualisation and is rounded off with knowledge transfer and professional advice. In this way, you can find a long-term form of nutrition that suits your individual needs.
Our advice here is to invest time and money to create a solution that is individualized for you. FitnessGoesOffice does not offer nutritional advice. But we would be happy to put you in touch with us. fgonline@fitnessgoesoffice.com
