Most people have tried a diet at some point, whether it’s to eat healthier, build muscle, or lose weight. It is often difficult to adhere to the rules of the diet, and the visible changes in the body caused by not eating quickly disappear after switching to a normal diet.
Nutritional psychology consultant Katja Ehrensperger (44) from Mamakk Holistic Health in Zurich explains in an interview with BLICK why it makes more sense to have a balanced diet than to follow a diet. “A healthy diet has a positive influence on health, performance and mood.”
The benefits of a healthy diet
According to the expert, being healthy means more than the absence of disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is defined as a state of “complete physical, mental and social well-being”. “Good food equals a good mood,” says Ehrensperger. Constant dieting, on the other hand, can only be sustained for a short time and does not lead to any long-term success.
We must enjoy the variety of foods in everyday life. The nutritional psychology consultant explains: “There are no healthy or unhealthy or even forbidden foods. It depends on quantity, selection and combination.”
Anyone who pays attention to seasonality in their food would automatically provide variety. Fresh regional ingredients and plenty of fluids, such as up to two liters of water or unsweetened herbal tea per day, are ideal. “Mindful eating helps to eat well in the long run,” says Ehrensperger.
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Good alcohol consumption is at least as important for our health as good nutrition. In order to stay fresh and fit, it is very important to drink enough. But how much water is really enough for the body?
Diets can be harmful
According to the expert, diets that are too strict or one-sided can lead to a long-term lack of essential nutrients. “This can lead to poor performance, reduced well-being and increased susceptibility to infection.”
If a diet is practiced anyway, it must be associated with a learning effect that leads to a positive change in eating habits in the long term. “With repeated dieting, a vicious cycle often begins in which body weight rises and falls like a yo-yo. The final weight is often higher than the starting weight,” says Ehrensperger.
In some cases, however, diets are important when recommended by experts for medical reasons. According to Ehrensperger, these include, for example, digestive diseases, food intolerances, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gout, allergies and obesity. “In these cases, it is worth working out a suitable nutritional therapy with a nutritionist,” she advises.
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Lose weight without the right diet: we’ll show you how to really succeed. Our weight loss tips will help you eat healthy every day and change your fitness habits.
Lose weight without the right diet: we’ll show you how to really succeed. Our weight loss tips will help you eat healthy every day and change your fitness habits.
This is what a healthy diet looks like
“In addition to a regular meal rhythm, the optimal composition of food is important”, specifies the consultant. She has some tips for healthy eating: “It’s worth making sure that each main meal includes a variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits, a starch such as whole grains, legumes, quinoa, corn or rice as well as ‘a protein side dish and vegetable oils come to the plate.’ Fish, meat, eggs, tofu or dairy products can serve as a protein side dish.
“This balanced composition of foods ensures a constant blood sugar level, provides valuable energy, keeps you full for a long time and is therefore an important basis for health, performance and a happy state of mind”, concludes Ehrensperger .
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