The reason why it’s so hard to stick to a diet

Deep down you know the latest diet you’ve just started isn’t
going to work. Sure, the first few days you’re buzzing with high
spirits and dreaming about the new clothes you’ll be able to
buy, but it soon wears off doesn’t it? You don’t need me to tell
you diets are extremely hard to stick to, but the reason why
hasn’t been discussed properly.

The reason is choice. Yep, it’s that simple.

To elaborate, our appetites haven’t evolved to cope with the
enormous amount of choice that exists today. Why does this
matter? Because choice stimulates appetite. That’s why you can
alway fit in a chocolate pudding, even though you couldn’t
manage another mouthful of potatoes. Your mind says “Hey, that’s
enough potatoes!” and makes you feel uncomfortably full. On
seeing dessert it then goes “Ooh, chocolate pudding, that’s
different!” and makes you hungry again.

Now this wouldn’t be so bad by itself, but the problem is made
worse by the huge and varied types of food which we are
surrounded by. If you compared the foods stocked by a typical
supermarket today with one from 50 years ago the difference
would be staggering. Add in the new foods from around the world
and you end up with a constant hunger that never seems
satisfied. Our ‘full’ signal is simply drowned out by our
appetite.

For example, the UK didn’t have takeaway pizza chains until the
early 80s, which just so happens to be around the time obesity
started increasing. Supermarkets became more powerful (UK’s Asda
is part owned by Walmart) and the range of foods exploded. Brits
who were happy with simple meals were suddenly eating like kings
every day, leading to expanding waistlines.

In newly emerging economies like India and China obesity is on
the rise (along with related conditions such as insulin
resistance). More food choice goes hand in hand with weight
gain.

So to succeed in losing weight you need to start taking a list
of foods to buy at the supermarket. Stick to it rigidly and
don’t be tempted by special offers (unless they are for fruit
and vegetables of course). Remove any tempting food if possible
from your home, although this is hard if you have a family.

Also, a fun and interesting way to help lose weight is to eat
foods your ancestors used to have. Try and find out the diet
your grandparents and great-grandparents used to eat and try to
do the same once a day. If they only ate meat once a week or
month, try doing the same and see if you feel any better.

Why not make a new years resolution to stop the circle of fad
diets and take control of your appetite.

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