Healthy diets and seeing results. I want to address a major issue that held me back from weight loss for the longest time…
A healthy diet is not necessarily a weight loss diet.
and
A weight loss diet is not necessarily a healthy diet.
Let me explain with the example of the smoothie bowl.
Healthy diet = weight loss?
With the explosion of paleo, veganism and clean eating the smoothie bowl blew up mid 2016’s and it’s still popular.
And you can see why. Most of them contain fruit, plant based milks, healthy fats and proteins. As an example, here’s a quick recipe for my morning smoothie.
Almond milk
Frozen cherries
Flax seed
Protein powder
^^^Boom. Job done. Approximately 350 calories
However, that’s not instagram-able
In order to make it look pretty and contain ALL of the antioxidants and superfoods that you apparently NEED it looks more like this
Almond milk
Fruit
Avocado
Coconut
Flax seeds
Cocoa nibs
Peanut butter
Protein powder
^^^ Calories 500 plus.
If you’re having that as a snack as well as all your other meals, you might not be experiencing the weight loss that you expected. That’s because healthy doesn’t always equal weight loss.
Energy balance matters.
Now, I’m not saying that the content of the foods doesn’t count, because 200 calories of chocolate is not as nutritious as 200 calories of vegetables BUT – energy balance DOES play the biggest role in whether you will see results.
And a lot of healthy foods are very calorie dense. This is great if you are trying to gain weight or if you have a small appetite and need to eat sufficient calories to support an active lifestyle. However, if you’re looking to lose weight you want to be focusing on high fibre lower calorie foods.
So, snacking on nuts is not the best idea if you’re looking for weight loss.
Neither is putting peanut butter in your smoothie bowl.
To be clear, I’m not saying you have to starve yourself, just be aware of which foods will make it harder for you to reach your goal.
^^^ plenty of this for healthy weight loss.
Be energy aware
Counting calories is a strategy that some people choose to use, whether it works for you or not, it doesn’t hurt to be loosely aware of what you’re eating. Or to be more precise, approximately how many calories you’re consuming if you’re not seeing any weight loss progress.
Yes, your food choices might be healthy and you might be getting all of your vitamins, minerals and proteins in each day – but is all that healthy food bringing in too much energy based on your goals and your activity levels?
Don’t let the halo effect of healthy foods hold you back from your goals.
Ainzlie
p.s – If you’re tired of trying to find what works and you’re ready to take the step to a new you. Check out my nutrition coaching, now available online.
