Why We Hate Diets & Calorie Counting
In the Two Raw Sisters Podcast episode, ‘Why We Hate Diets & Calorie Counting’, we dive deep into the often misunderstood world of diet culture and the serious issues surrounding calorie counting and diet misconceptions.
Low Calorie vs Nutrient Dense
So many people face the overwhelming confusion and frustration with calorie counting. We argue that focusing on calories can be misleading and even detrimental to one's relationship with food. Dieting can be so harmful, particularly among young women. It is so important to choose foods that promote overall well-being rather than just low-calorie options. The impact of processed versus whole foods on overall health and well-being is non-comparable, yet so many people do compare them. Not only does choosing the more nutrition-dense option give you more energy, but it promotes good gut health and stabilizes blood sugar levels and mood. Outdated norms around diet still stick with us, such as the preference for low-fat milk and strict, flavorless meal prep like steamed vegetables and poached chicken. We are strong advocates for enjoying full-fat options and delicious, nutrient-rich meals full of nuts, seeds, and grains.
Quick question, who invented cheat days?
The concept of "cheat days" sets you up for an unhealthy relationship with food. Instead, why not just enjoy everything in moderation? If you want that croissant on a Saturday at the market, you eat that croissant on a Saturday at the market. Food should be both nutritious and enjoyable, it’s all about balance.
Let’s not forget the ‘challenges’…
We all have our bad days and let’s not forget about them because they are normal. Challenges that come with shifting your mindset away from restrictive diets can be difficult. We aren’t perfect and we too have bad days with food. Particularly during transformative periods like pregnancy, and when you’re in the deep depths of your period. In this podcast, we discuss how we handle days when food choices feel off and our mindset isn’t so positive.
Are you afraid of snacking?
We also debunk the fear around snacking and emphasize how important it is and how much of a positive impact a snack can have on mood and productivity. Snacking often causes food guilt due to the unhealthy mindset associated with cheat days and restrictive eating. “I don’t deserve that, I’ve been sitting down all day.”