Why I don’t agree with the weight loss advice “eat less”
(and why I recommend the exact opposite)
Have you ever spoken to your health practitioner about your weight (after already trying diet after diet) and they give you the advice “just eat less”
???
Eat less of what? You’re already hungry. You’re already tired. But your doctor said eat less so you give it a go.
You cut down your portions, and you do realllly well at ignoring the hunger between meals for a few days.
But after days of feeling like a shell of a human, you start to introduce a few snacks - because it’s not physically possible to get through the days with this much hunger.
And now it kind of feels like you’re doing the opposite of the “eat less” advice - and you start to think the problem is that you don’t have enough willpower.
When in reality…
You were given advice that was not particularly helpful.
Here’s why I recommend the opposite
While it is true that a calorie deficit is a necessary requirement for weight loss, it does not mean you have to eat less volume. In fact - eating large portions of low calorie, high fibre foods (such as vegetables) is often a very helpful thing to do.
Focusing on “eating less” food (or certain foods) is the quickest way for you to feel deprived and think about them constantly.
This is why I recommend doing the exact opposite.
Instead, focus on what you need more of. If you’re not sure what this is, that’s where working with a nutritionist can help. We can help identify what nutrients you may need to increase to help meet your nutrition needs, and help you feel more satisfied.
This is called taking an additive approach to nutrition, and it’s a really helpful strategy when you’re trying to make changes to your eating patterns.
For example, if you recognise that you’re eating too many carbs at dinner time, rather than focusing on eating less of this, or a smaller portion overall, you might focus on increasing your portion of protein or non-starchy vegetables. As a result, you’ll naturally eat less of the carb portion, but you won’t have to spend so much energy focusing on this or feel like you’re missing out.
Need more specific guidance?
I’d love to help. Book in for a 1:1 consultation for individualised guidance and support.
Disclaimer: this blog is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice. For more support please always seek the guidance of your relevant health practitioners.