Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Carnivore, Mediterranean, Keto etc. Between all of the different kinds of diets, it can be difficult to keep up. There seems to be a growing obsession with diets as they promise quick fixes. Social media, celebrities and trends often influence this trend. We see how our favorite celebrities look, and we strive to look exactly like them regardless of our differences.
The Hidden Dangers of Fad Diets
Fad diets promise quick and dramatic weight loss with little to no effort. These diets often enforce extreme restrictions of certain food groups which could be stripping you of necessary vitamins. Many fad diets that promise fast results fail just as quickly because they are unsustainable in the long term. Since these diets are focused on eliminating certain food groups and changing eating habits, as soon as the diet ends, the progress regresses.
Some of these diets, like a low-carb diet, could also be harmful because they may eliminate fruits and veggies that have important vitamins and minerals. These deficiencies could harm your overall health and do more damage than good. According to the Washington Post, the carnivore diet, for example, is also harmful as it could strain your kidneys. A low-carb diet may also increase your risk of heart disease as you increase the intake of saturated fats.
Every Body Is Unique
Bio individuality is this term that explains that everyone’s body is unique. Some people thrive on a vegetarian or vegan diet, while others need to eat meat in order to keep their body functioning. Other people may metabolize carbs and fats in different ways that make them more helpful or more harmful. What works for your favorite celebrity may not work for you, as their body is used to consuming that type of food.
The amount of exercise a body does also plays a factor in bio individuality. Dieting alone doesn’t produce miracles. Your body needs to be moving in order to make the diet as efficient as you like. However, the number of calories you burn during a workout is different in each individual person. There is also an issue with diets that revolve around extreme calorie restrictions. These diets may slow the metabolic cycle in your body, making it easier for your body to regain any weight.
We Are Influenced and We Influence
People watch what celebrities and influencers do to look as good as they do. They post social media videos that they may highlight what they eat in a day. These videos might be helpful, as they give you ideas of what to eat, but it’s important to note that you often don’t get the full story online. What they eat one day may not be how they eat every day. Maybe they had a big bowl of ice cream they didn’t show or had too many drinks the night before. Social media doesn’t show you all of the nitty gritty.
Not only are we influenced by social media, but we have to remember that we influence the people around us too. Our siblings, cousins, friends and children are influenced by what we say. There’s always that one friend that can eat pancakes for breakfast, pasta and ice cream for lunch and then for dinner a burger and cake and still wake up the next morning feeling amazing. Maybe you are that friend, but the reason the carbs don’t seem to have an effect on that body is because of the bio individuality. So, what works for someone, works differently to a completely other person.
Just Be You
With all of this, just know that every individual body is perfect because it’s yours, it’s unique and it keeps you alive. Instead of focusing on how to make it look different, love it and focus on fueling it with what makes it feel it’s best. Don’t stress out over all of the different diets celebrities or your best friends are doing, be open to being your best self.
Let us know what foods fuel you by tagging us @VALLEYmag on Instagram!
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