A Reminder of Why Diets Don't Work
Although many disregulated eaters
know that diets don’t work long-term, when they get frustrated that “normal”
eating isn’t producing the weight loss they desire, they consider—and sometimes
return to—dieting. So for those of you teeter-tottering on the brink, here’s
more proof that restricting calories will hurt, not help, you.
In “Why crash diets call for some
caution” (Sarasota Herald-Tribune,
3/26/14) Gabriella Boston gives prime time to several experts on the subject. Nutritionist
Rebecca Mohning advises that “If you go on, say a 900-calorie-a-day diet, you
will have a hard time getting the nutrients you need. Without the daily
requirement of protein, you will break down your lean muscle mass.” The problem:
Lean muscle mass burns calories, so the more we have of it, the more calories
we burn. Mohning also reminds us that, as night follows day, lost weight after dieting
will return—likely as fat, not muscle—decreasing, not increasing, calorie-burning
efficiency. Exactly what you don’t want to happen, right?
Moreover, eating less lowers the
body’s basil metabolic rate (BMR), the energy needed to maintain bodily
functions. Says Scott Kahan, MD, “Whenever you lose weight, whether
intentionally or not, your BMR goes down.” Age affects BMR as does gender, height,
weight and genetics, which is why you can’t compare your eating and weight-loss
efforts with anyone else’s. (Where’ve you heard that before?) We all ...
Source: Normal Eating - Category: Eating Disorders Authors: eatnormalnow Source Type: blogs
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