Hello Loyal Soup People!

As many of you know, I hate the entire concept of “diets.” To me, they are usually temporary, quick fixes that require followers to adhere to strict rules that are usually unsustainable. When people decide they want to lose weight, they often flock to fad diets that too often result in quick weight loss followed by even faster weight gain. Also, there are so many weight loss myths out there that simply set people up for failure. Some of the biggest offenders include:

– Remove all carbohydrates from your diet. Remember – not all carbs are created equal! Please don’t throw bagels in the same category as lentils. Yes, technically both are carbs. The former are full of empty calories that will simply turn quickly into fat. The latter are full of protein and fiber. A bowl of lentil soup will keep you full for hours, help you build muscle, and aid your digestive system. A better strategy is to eat fewer simple, highly processed carbohydrates.

– When dieting, you should feel hungry. Hunger leads to binge eating. Hunger is not sustainable. Our bodies fight hunger, and our metabolism slows down. I know that intermittent fasting works for many people. But I encourage you to research this method of eating before diving in. In general, we should approach meals slightly hungry (not starving) so we don’t overeat. Healthy snacks are great. The only time I encourage people to feel a bit hungry is when going to bed.

– Avoid fat. No, no, no! Study after study show that it is beneficial to incorporate a moderate amount of healthy fat into our diets. It is not a good idea to avoid nuts, seeds, and avocados. Quite the contrary. A snack of apples and nuts or avocado toast will keep you satiated for hours – and quite deliciously!

Lastly, I encourage you not to live by the number on the scale. While it is important to monitor your weight regularly, a short term increase or decrease could be because of something as simple as having a salty meal the day before (leading to water retention). Also, you might end up losing muscle mass instead of fat which is definitely not a good thing. When choosing your eating and exercise plan, try to view it holistically. Are you feeding yourself foods that you enjoy? Or, are you forcing yourself to eat things that you don’t like? Is your diet sustainable? And quite simply, how do your pants fit? If you find that the number on the scale won’t budge but your pants are loose – you are gaining muscle and losing fat! Keep it up!

Love,

Soupermom

*NOTE – Soupermom is not a licensed dietitian, doctor, personal trainer, or anything like that. She’s just extremely knowledgeable about healthy living!! But if you slip and fall while taking her advice, it is not her fault!