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: Source Type: blogs