There are so many different types of dieting plans to choose from— and the one thing they all seem to have in common is the need for restriction. However, the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of the restriction will depend on the specific diet, such as low-carb, low-fat, or just decreased food in general.
With the common mindset that you have to restrict yourself in order to lose weight, it is no surprise that many people fall victim to these traps.
Thankfully, there has been a push toward flexible dieting which is quite the opposite of restricting. It ditches traditional diet culture and embraces freedom and flexibility.
What is Flexible Dieting?
Flexible dieting isn’t even a diet at all. Rather, it is a lifestyle. There are no good or bad foods and there is no restriction.
The idea behind flexible dieting is that you eat foods that provide your body with the proper nourishment it needs to help you achieve your goals. This involves focusing on a targeted set of macros. As long as you stay within your range, you can eat any food you want.
Many health experts, nutritionists, and bodybuilders believe that taking a flexible dieting approach to what you eat could lead to greater success long term. And, when done right, it can actually help individuals heal their relationship with food.
Targeting Macros
With flexible dieting, you will not feel like you are on a diet, but you will monitor your macros – that is, your intake of protein, carbs, and fats. Macronutrients are fuel that our bodies turn into energy as we consume them.
Every time you eat, you will keep track of the macros you are consuming, staying within a certain amount each day.
The foods you eat to reach these macros do not matter — as long as you stay within the range of your target. So, on days you are craving something sweet, eat something sweet. And on days you want tacos, eat the tacos. You are less likely to over-indulge because you are giving yourself what you want without restriction and you know you are staying within your macros.
Benefits of Flexible Dieting
Many people who have struggled with dieting and keeping the weight off are finding success with flexible dieting. Simply looking at the benefits of adopting these eating habits, it is easy to see why it is growing in popularity.
- There are no good foods or bad foods. As a result, you are not restricting yourself from eating the things that you enjoy or forcing yourself to eat the things you don’t like.
- You can have any food you want. The more you tell yourself you can’t have something, the more you will want it. With flexible dieting, you can eat it.
- Flexible dieting is a lifestyle change. This is not a quick fix for your health. You won’t drop weight super fast and then have to worry about putting it back on. Instead, you will change your habits — and enjoy long-term weight loss.
- The macros can be adjusted to meet your needs. Whatever your weight loss goal, you can work with a nutrition coach to adjust the macros to give you the best results.
Who knew that providing a bit of flexibility in dieting would create the perfect combination for so many to find success with their weight loss.?
Beyond The Box Nutrition goes beyond dieting with certified nutrition coaches who personalize programs to help clients develop healthy lifestyles and maintain long-term weight loss.