Why Diets Do Not Work

Why Diets Do Not Work

Whether in recovery for an eating disorder, struggling with disordered eating, or just stuck on the diet yo-yo train, it is important to be aware of the mechanisms for why dieting does not work.

Addressing any level of dieting or disordered eating is a delicate matter, and promoting ambivalence towards dieting can be a step towards fostering a healthier relationship with food. Here are five reasons why diets often fail and why it may be worth reconsidering their approach:

1.              Short-Term Focus, Long-Term Disappointment: Diets typically offer quick fixes and immediate results, but they often lack sustainability. Many people find it challenging to maintain the strict rules of a diet over the long term, leading to feelings of failure and disappointment when the desired outcomes are not achieved or maintained.

2.              Metabolic Adaptation: The body has a remarkable ability to adapt to changes in energy intake. When you restrict kilojoules for an extended period, your metabolism will slow down as a survival mechanism, making it harder to lose weight and easier to regain it once normal eating patterns resume.

3.              Emotional Toll and Negative Self-Perception: Diets can contribute to a negative relationship with food, fostering guilt, shame, and anxiety around eating. Constantly categorising foods as "good" or "bad" can lead to a distorted self-perception and harm mental well-being, reinforcing the cycle of disordered eating.

4.              Unrealistic Expectations: Many diets promote unrealistic expectations regarding weight loss and body image. These expectations can set individuals up for failure, as achieving and maintaining the proposed outcomes may not align with body composition and what is natural and healthy for each individual.

5.              Limited Nutrient Diversity: Diets often focus on specific food groups or macronutrients, neglecting the importance of a balanced and varied diet. This lack of diversity can lead to nutrient deficiencies, impacting overall health and well-being. Moreover, rigid dietary rules may hinder the enjoyment of a wide range of foods and limit social connection and wellbeing.

Encouraging a more balanced and mindful approach to eating, focused on nourishment and overall well-being, can be a healthier alternative to the dieting disappointment cycle. Developing a positive relationship with food and addressing the root causes of disordered eating may lead to sustainable changes in the long term. It's essential to consider individual needs, preferences, and health goals while promoting a holistic approach to nutrition.

Reach out to a health professional to seek further support.  A credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician can be a good place to start – these mental health clinicians and dietitians have extra training and experience to support recovery from disordered eating or an eating disorder.

Find a credentialed treatment provider:

https://connected.anzaed.org.au/treatmentproviders/

https://www.insightdietetics.com/