How to Maintain a Balanced Diet Plan
‘A diet that does not demonise certain foods is a diet that you will stick to. My approach to nutrition does not deprive you from your favourite flavours but helps you develop control over your intake. Consider this a lifestyle change that brings long-lasting results. It doesn’t have to be difficult!’
Sam, Owner at Fitbox Personal Training
How to Choose the Right Diet
Are you thinking about going on a diet but do not have a clue where to start? Choosing the most appropriate diet to suit your body and lifestyle can be tricky so make sure you do your research before you charge ahead to a healthier, fitter and slimmer you. Important to remember is that dieting does not have to be a stressful experience and most certainly does not have to come with negative side effects. Here at Fitbox Personal Training we don’t believe in starving yourself or replacing meals with food supplements; in this blog post we talk about why our specialist ‘macronutrient target based’ diet system is the best option for you and how it helps you keep the results you have worked so hard to achieve. In response to a customer’s recent request we also compare our dieting style to five of the most popular diet systems and talk about the pros and cons of each. Putting yourself under too much pressure in itself is not healthy.
What is the ‘Macronutrient Target Based Diet’?
Our approach to nutrition is more of a flexible style of dieting that guarantees sustainable results. The way it works is we assess your health and fitness goals in relation to your current weight and form. You will then be provided with a certain amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats for your intake target per day and the good news is you can eat whatever you want providing you do not exceed your stated amount.
Needless to say there does need to be a certain amount of self-discipline involved, eating whatever you want does not mean over-indulging on chocolate profiteroles for breakfast every day. We believe your diet should be a way of life and not just a temporary solution.
Avoid Negative Side Effects from some of the Most Popular Diets such as:
1. Alkaline Diet
Considered to be one of the most effective diets for fat loss and clear improved skin. The Alkaline Diet encourages high consumption of fruits and vegetables and discourages the likes of acidic foods including dairy, eggs, meat, fish, processed foods and alcohol to name a few. Beware of the risks because this diet option promotes the exclusion of some very healthy foods including beans and legumes which are required to boost immunity and energy levels. You will also be cutting out dairy which results in a significant drop in your Calcium intake. Our macronutrient target based system does not require you to cut anything out entirely but instead teaches you the ability to control what you eat.
2. Paleo Diet
The Paleolithic Diet is also known as the ‘Caveman Diet’ and is inspired by hunter-gatherer eating habits before the development of agriculture over 10,000 years ago. The Paleo Diet focuses on weight-loss through low-calorie intake and is often described as a high-protein low-carb diet which permits the consumption of foods that can be hunted and gathered. Lean meat, seafood, fresh fruit, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, eggs and plant-based oils are perfectly acceptable while grains, dairy products, high-fat meats, sugars and processed foods are strictly in the no-go zone. It is not recommended for vegetarians because it excludes beans and other food groups including grains and dairy. Likewise if you are an athlete or follow a very active daily routine you may want to consider another diet choice as this may not provide the levels of energy you might be hoping to achieve (3-6g carbs per day permitted). Aside from the Paleo Diet getting a little pricey in the long-run it also promotes the exclusion of certain very healthy foods. With our approach to dieting you can still maintain a healthy balance in what you eat.
3. Cambridge Diet
Looking for a very-low-calorie-diet (VLCD) plan? Consider the Cambridge Diet which uses specially crafted products manufactured in the UK for fast weight loss. These products include branded shakes, meal replacement bars, soups and smoothies. Although weight loss is pretty much guaranteed it is not sustainable! Throughout the duration of this diet program you will receive expert advice and support because according to the British Dietetic Association there are possible adverse side effects including dizziness, insomnia and nausea. This diet should not last any longer than 12 continuous weeks as many often find the weight loss to be sudden and quite dramatic. You will be allowed 600 to 1500 kcal per day and although the meal replacements are nutritionally balanced you must remember that your vitamin and mineral intake is not coming from real food. Cutting down on carbs and fibre can also result in constipation and bad breath so this is definitely not a lifestyle choice. You will be looking forward to the day you can go out to lunch again or enjoy a nice family meal! Here at Fitbox Personal Training we do not believe in replacing food with other products to help you lose weight. Our approach focuses on developing a long-term lifestyle change naturally through moderate intake.
4. Dukan Diet
The Dukan Diet is a lot more flexible than the others mentioned so far in this article. The Dukan Diet is broken down into four separate phases and forces the body to switch from burning carbohydrates for energy to burning fat. The good news is that you can eat as much as you like throughout the four phases of the diet plan providing you stick to the rules. You will have the choice of 72-100 foods which are high in protein, low in carbohydrates and low in fat and what you eat depends on which phase of the diet you are on. The Dukan Diet is easy to follow because there is no need to weigh food or calorie count! During phase one it is all about a strict lean protein intake while the following three phases slowly introduce some fruit, veg and a few carbs. Eventually this leads to the consumption of all the foods on the list and the aim of the game is to promote long-term weight management instead of a short-term quick fix. In this diet, carbs are your enemy! As before, the lack of carbs, wholegrains, fruit and veg during the early phases can result in constipation, bad breath, dizziness and nausea so take this into consideration before committing. Our diet system does not ban certain foods as this can introduce a mental challenge which increases your chances of being led off the diet program.
5. Mediterranean Diet
Looking for a colourful healthy diet food that incorporates a glass of red wine every now and then? The Mediterranean Diet has been formed based on traditional cooking styles of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. With olive-oil considered as one of the main health-promoting components you will experience high consumption of unrefined cereals, fruits and vegetables, fish, yoghurt, cheese and red wine (optional of course)! Regular consumption of olive oil has been known to decrease the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration and several chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The benefits of a fine Mediterranean Diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts are endless and definitely tasty. On the other hand, it can get quite confusing as it does not state exact serving amounts per day, instead it works on total macronutrient distribution and uses terms such as “low to moderate intake”, “abundance” and “often” to guide you. Calorie totals and physical activity parameters are not stated either so if you are looking for a total lifestyle change you will need to tailor this diet around other additional routines and research.
With Fitbox Personal Training Macronutrient Target Based Diet System you will:
Drop Fat
Build Muscle
Meet your Goals
Enjoy the Results for Longer
Got questions? We will be back with more informative blog posts on weight dieting, health diets and foods so make sure you sign up to get notified or call Sam on 07824 645 957 for expert food dieting tips. Our client feedback is testament to the success of our approach to nutrition and we agree that a ‘flexible diet regime’ is healthier and easier to stick to. If you are looking for a personal trainer in Staines or diet specialist in Weybridge make sure you get in touch or visit fitboxpersonaltraining.co.uk. Chat soon!
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