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Writer's pictureLauren Carmichael

What is the non-diet approach? From a non-diet Dietitian.

Updated: Jun 17

What do you usually imagine when you typically come and see a Dietitian? Scales in the room? Posters of food pyramids and healthy eating plates? Maybe you imagine a slim practitioner wearing a white coat, notepad and pen clutched in hand telling you to ''get in line'' so you can be weighed like a Daisy cow being lined up for slaughter.


*Sigh...traumatic I know! 


Unfortunately most of our health care system exists within this weight centric framework where the perfect BMI is the very pinnacle to our health and wellness successes and anything outside of this needs to be fixed. However, this framework comes with many flaws. One of those being it's disregard for the difficulties with maintaining our lower weight bodies following weight loss. Not only this, but my observations of those who have attempted weight loss mostly contradicts a lot of the health and nutrition guidelines that are put in place.


What is known about health and weight is that our ability to maintain a stable weight is a weight that is most healthful for us. This is assuming that this person eats and moves in a way that is conducive to health and wellness and aligns with their needs and values. Any history of ‘weight yo-yo-ing' is in fact quite detrimental to our health. I will be completely transparent here. I am not saying that I am anti weight loss nor am I saying I am pro weight loss. I am simply neutral.

berry pancakes

Why weight loss often isn't sustainable

I will assume that you have a brilliant understanding of the fundamentals of lowering our weight. Insert fitness buzz word here 'Eat Less, Move More'. A large problem with most weight loss attempts however, is the inability of maintaining and sustaining the behaviour, and therefore the weight loss long term. We also see a rebound effect when weight regain occurs, people shift to a higher baseline than they began with. So in a sense, for the majority, their weight loss attempts end up making themselves heavier long term.


Can I be clear because I see a lot of shame that comes with failed weight loss attempts. It is NOT the absence of willpower. It's not you, it's the diet. Say it with me, you were never the issue. 


Can we agree that our bodies innately do not want to starve and die. Sorry I know dramatic, but in a sense, weight reduction is a form of restriction which is a form of intentional starvation. In severe cases on prolonged inadequate energy, we see hormonal changes that impact our appetite and hunger. We also tend to feel more fatigued and even move less (yes this is legit, people blink and fidget less) and in some cases we dream and think about food more. Our bodies are very clever at adapting to restriction as they are hard wired to protect us. Your body is going to do everything it can to work against you. It is it's job.

pizza

So what is the non diet approach?

So let me park the bus here and allow us to circle back. The fundamentals of the non-diet approach are looking at health behaviours through a holistic lens. Specifically with eating, this approach aims to remove any rigidity around food whilst working towards normal eating behaviours and patterns, and ultimately finding trust within our bodies wisdom to tell us what it needs. It is a way of eating that is sustainable, enjoyable and nourishes our body in a way that is gentle. This approach acknowledges that weight could change either up, down or even not change at all but the important thing isn't the weight because its the behaviours that we maintain that contribute to healthfulness.  


How to apply the non diet approach

The non diet framework steps away from dieting and allows us to be curious with our eating and health. It allows us to centre on our needs and food pleasures with complete permission to do so. I differentiate this style of eating by questioning the "why'' behind certain behaviours. For example, if we are eating an apple as a snack due to it being cold and crunchy which satisfies our sensory needs then this aligns with the non diet paradigm. Equally, if we are moving our bodies as a means of it feels good and allows us to unwind, then this again aligns with the non-diet approach. If our why is the apple is low in calories and the exercise is burning calories then this is clearly not aligned with non diet practice. So next time you sit down to eat I would like to encourage you to start brainstorming your ‘why’. The removal of the diet-y talk is the non-diet approach at its core.

paella

Book in with a non-diet Dietitian

If you resonate with this, have a history of yo-yo dieting and feel trapped in diet hell then I would love to support you. Head to my booking page here. I have in person or telehealth appointments available.

 

With kindness, Lauren  

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