Do you know what diet is right for you?
Do you feel overwhelmed or confused about all the diet info circulating the internet? Are you tired of feeling bloated, low on energy or not losing weight no matter what you eat? Have you tried eating a Paleo, Keto, AIP, Whole30, vegan or other type of diet but didn’t get the results you were hoping for? These are some of the same questions and frustrations my clients also have when they start working with me. The first thing we focus on in our work together is figuring out what diet is right for their body so they can feel their best, and I want to help you figure this out too.
The truth is, you are unique and therefore your diet should be too.
Naturally you will feel more uplifted, motivated, energetic and lean when you’re eating a diet that is right for your body. AND when you feel this way, making food choices that are in alignment with your health goals and how you want to feel becomes second nature - there’s no question or challenge about it.
This concept is grossly overlooked when trying to figure out what diet is right for you, but it’s the most important one because what works for one person does not necessarily work for all. How many times have you felt frustrated about a diet because you’ve compared yourself to others who are getting results from the same diet you’re doing, even though you’re not?
Here are some BIG reasons why your dieting efforts might not be working for you:
● You’re eating the wrong ratios of proteins, carbs and fats for your body
● You have not-so-obvious food sensitivities or intolerances causing inflammation
● You have underlying hormone imbalances preventing your diet from being effective
● Your digestive system is a disaster resulting in poor nutrient absorption and overall bodily function
Simply changing your diet without understanding what diet is right for you won’t help you get to the bottom of these bigger result blocking issues. BUT when you do know what diet is right for you, it can help to resolve food sensitivities, hormone imbalances, digestive dysfunction and ultimately help you get your energy back, lose weight, sleep great and feel like yourself again.
Eating the wrong macro ratios
The number one reason why most dietary approaches don’t work for people like you, is because you’re usually eating the wrong ratios of proteins, carbs and fats for your body.
When you eat the wrong ratios of proteins, carbs and fats for your body, it can leaving you feeling:
● Tired, anxious, irritable or needing to nap
● Snacky, stomach heavy or craving sweets
● Brain foggy, wired but tired or physically full but still hungry
These are all signs that your ratios are off, your blood sugar is likely not balanced as a result, and the nutrients in the food you ate was inadequate. Aside from the Keto diet, most dietary approaches don’t actually address the ratios of proteins, carbs or fats that you should be considering for each meal or throughout the day. And the ratios associated with Keto definitely aren’t right for everyone - especially if you have a thyroid or other type of hormone imbalance.
The elimination diet myth
Most diets fall into what’s called an “elimination diet” approach; telling you what foods to avoid and what foods are considered ok.
For example, Paleo and Whole30 diets promote eating whole, unprocessed animal and plant foods, and they avoid processed foods such as sugar, dairy, grains and soy. The Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet adds another layer of elimination to the Paleo diet by also excluding foods containing lectins such as eggs, nuts, seeds, beans and nightshade vegetables. But all three of these diets are non-specific in regards to the ratio of protein, carbs or fats that you should eat in each meal. Vegan or vegetarian diets are also based on elimination. They exclude certain animal products, but don’t address food ratios. As a vegan or vegetarian you might need a higher ratio of protein sourced from plants to feel your best, but you probably don’t hear many people talking about this.
To sum it up, an elimination diet alone won’t typically get you the results you’re looking for. However, elimination diets do provide a great foundation to help you to figure out what diet is right for you. Elimination diets help you to avoid foods that commonly cause inflammation such as processed foods, grains, dairy, sugar, soy or those that contain lectins. Implementing an elimination diet to reduce inflammation means you are taking one BIG step in the right direction.
Finding the right ratios for you
The next BIG step to figuring out what diet is right for you requires dialing in your ratios of proteins, carbs and fats so your body can get the fuel it needs to function at its potential.
When you’re eating the right ratio of protein, carbs and fats per meal you will:
● Be able to go 3-5 hours or more without feeling hungry
● Have energy for hours and feel recharged
● Think clearly, feel uplifted and be more positive
You can use the elimination diet of your choice as a guide to create a clear list of foods you can eat and those you should avoid. Then take it one step further by customizing the ratio of protein, carbs and fats included in each meal so you can feel your best.
Figuring out your food ratios is actually pretty simple. All you need to do is:
Tune into your body 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating
Notice how it’s responding to what you ate
Adjust your food ratios until you get the perfect response!
Dialing in my food ratios has been a game changer for me, and my clients too! I would love to hear how dialing in your food ratios has been a game changer for YOU too.
Let me give you some homework: log 6-10 meals for food ratio feedback and then send me an email, or message me on Instagram to let me know what you discover about the right diet for you!
OR If you need help figuring out what fats and other foods are right for your body so you can lose weight, have more energy and get back to feeling like yourself again then, schedule a complimentary Discovery call with me and let's get to the bottom of this!
Disclaimer: This post is intended for inspirational and informational purposes only, is not a substitute for medical advice, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. Consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your routine.