![\"habits\"](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/habits-e1401739788515.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIt’s easy to get caught up and confused by the overload of information about nutrition out there, especially because some of it is contradictory. Enchanted by the latest celebrity endorsement or buzzword of the day, well-intentioned dieters easily make misguided decisions, setting rules and restrictions based on good intentions but not actual science. Here are the health traps I see people fall into most often, habits that actually aren’t all that healthy in the long run.<\/p>\n
1. The Fat Fearers 2. The Cheating Vegetarian\/Vegan 3. The Enforcer 4. The Calorie Counter 5. The Orthorexic Ultimately, do your research and try out anything that appeals to you. Eat when you\u2019re hungry, stop when you’re not. Keep it simple and listen to your body to tell you what it takes to keep you feeling great.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Also Read:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Skinny on Fat: The Essential Nutrient for Weight Loss<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Orthorexia: When Healthy Eating Goes Too Far<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Healthy Eating Handbook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As a health coach, I have had dozens of people provide me with their definitions of \u201chealthy living\u201d and \u201chealthy eating\u201d. Although they’ve made an appointment with me, these people are pretty sure they have most things health figured out … Continue reading
\n<\/strong>Yes, large amounts of saturated fats found in steaks and candy bars can increase your risk for cardiac events, but don\u2019t forget the good fats! \u201cLow-fat\u201d products simply replace the fat with more chemicals and sugar and should be avoided in favor of full-fat options. It’s also smart to add in more healthy fats like those found in\u00a0avocado<\/a><\/strong>, olive oil, and flax seeds to feel full and satisfied with each meal.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>No question that a plant-based diet is a safe bet for overall health. More and more people are experimenting with vegetarianism and veganism and that is wonderful! But did you know products like Oreos are vegan<\/a><\/strong>? A lot of new vegans do\u2014and they’re filling up on them! The idea behind vegetarian and vegan diets is to have most all of your food sources come from natural fruits, veggies, beans, legumes, seeds, and good fats (with the occasional cookies of course!). Eating packaged junk like mac & cheese and veggie pizza means you avoid meat, but these diets don\u2019t satisfy the plant-based foods requirement. To do this diet right, make one of our meat free recipes, like these delicious vegetarian stuffed peppers<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Whether it\u2019s going gluten-free, cleansing, or cutting out meat, some people jump at every chance to try something new. This is encouraged! There is no one way of eating suitable for everyone. But if you are trying something new and your body gives you negative feedback\u2014listen! If you actively crave meat after weeks of being vegetarian, if you don\u2019t feel less bloated or have higher energy after cutting out gluten, if that cleanse left you feeling totally depleted\u2026this is all valuable information that you must honor. Find the middle ground where you feel at your best rather than forcing yourself to stick with one extreme but not quite right plan.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong>This outdated method can still be helpful for those in their earliest stages of health awareness. Calories do matter, after all. But in the long run this habit can cause more damage than good. For a calorie counter<\/a><\/strong>, 200 calories of ice cream and 200 calories of a giant salad look exactly the same. It\u2019s not always about how much you eat, but the quality of what you eat. So take calories into consideration when choosing what to eat, but also pay attention to things like fiber, fat, and protein content.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The newest red-flag of disordered eating is the orthorexic<\/a><\/strong>, or the person who will only eat something if it is 100% healthy, organic, non-GMO, etc., ALL the time. Like the other scenarios, this is a well-intentioned idea but eating this way makes it easy to lose sight of balance and stumble into an unhealthy obsession. Kale chips and organic farm-raised meat is great, but the occasional serving of chips and salsa won’t completely undermine the hard work you’ve put into your diet. Eat as healthy as you can when you can, then relax, indulge, and enjoy.<\/p>\n