Six diet mistakes you could be making

Hearing the word ‘diet’ is enough to trigger some anxiety.

The word has been tossed around so much that it’s true meaning has disappeared along the way.

Although diets can be confusing, educating yourself more about the topic will help you especially when it comes to making healthier choices in future.

Knowing more about it will also be essential when it comes to avoiding diet mistakes we make all the time.

On that note, here is a list of common diet mistakes you could be making that you should know about.

i. Being too strict on your diet

Everyone has a certain body goal or body ideal that they dream of. Once you start making lifestyle changes and watching what you eat, you start to actively work towards those goals. On the flip side, it’s toxic to let your life revolve around diets all the time. You become a slave to constantly looking at ingredients, weighing yourself every other time and bashing yourself for not meeting all your expectations. It’s good to watch what you eat but letting those things control you can be damaging.

ii. Falling for the ‘diet’ sign

Another diet mistake is being a sucker for the diet version of products. Examples include, ‘gluten free,’ ‘sugar free,’ and other and many other ‘free’ options out there. In reality, many of these products aren’t what they seem. The companies simply eliminate one thing and substitute it with something else that’s equally as bad for your body. Thinking that you’ll get healthier by opting for diet products is naive. The best thing is to moderately consume these products or avoid them all together.

iii. Not engaging your mind

We know that your mind is the core driver of what you do. When you have a positive outlook on life, you become more motivated to do better even on the bad days. Not having a positive and strong mindset when you’re making diet changes will make you susceptible to backslides. It will be harder for you to push your limits and make it tougher to get closer to a healthy lifestyle. Engage both your mind and body so that you’re in a better positon to make real changes.

iv. Constantly using others’ diets

The internet is full of so many diet plans. Everywhere you look, you’re told to change this and that and to be honest it can be overwhelming. It’s important to get some guidance when it comes to your diet. But at the same time, not looking into what your body needs can also be harmful in the long run. Resist the urge to look like someone else and the urge to do what someone else is doing. Your body is unique so listening to its specific needs will help you avoid diet mistakes.

v. Always eating late

When it comes to eating, timing is everything. Our bodies process food differently depending on the time of day and the activities we do. Some experts suggest that you should have huge meals before eight so that your body can have enough time for digestion. Eating late will cause you to gain extra calories especially in the tummy area. If your goal is to lose some weight, have your meals early then you can have some healthy, light snacks later on in the night.

vi. Overeating

In African society, we’ve been taught to always eat until we feel like bursting. In fact your grandma will probably be disappointed if you leave the table before you’re fully stuffed. Eating is great but doing too much of it is a huge diet mistake. You’ll end up gaining unwanted weight especially in unflattering areas. It’s important to listen to your body and have self-control when it comes to portions.