I’ve been working in the fitness/wellness industry since 1984. Yikes! I’m STILL asked,
“What’s the best diet?”
You know what’s funny-not-funny? Every few years a new “best diet” pops up, and SO many people (and the news) treat it like it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. Oh! And it usually comes with a few bold claims, a list of foods you can’t eat, and at least one friend (or celebrity) who suddenly swears by it.
And if you’ve ever tried to sort through all the opinions, advice, and algorithms to find out what you should eat… you know it’s exhausting. It wears me out just studying them!
Hey. Let’s just take a breath, okay?
Because, as a certified nutrition coach and lifestyle strategist…here’s what I know to be true: There isn’t one magical, universal diet that works for everybody.
Not for every BODY. Not for every LIFE. Period.
Real Research, Not Just Hype
Regardless of what the headlines or social media want us to believe, long-term studies show that popular diets (like low-carb, low-fat, Paleo, intermittent fasting, and the Mediterranean diet)…after a year…they all produce about the same amount of weight loss when calories and protein are matched. Yep.
And even though the spotlight tends to be on weight loss, that’s only one marker of health. But you already knew that…right?
We’ve got real-life examples from all over the world that show people can thrive on very different diets:
- Arctic Inuit and African Masai? Heavy on animal products and fat, barely any vegetables.
- Kitavans in the South Pacific? Tons of starchy carbs and veggies.
- Tokelau islanders? Loads of saturated fat.
So clearly, humans can live and thrive in different ways. The body is brilliant. I’m SO grateful that God made it that way.
What This Means for You
You don’t have to follow the rules of any of these diets. You get to learn what works for you.
The physical life area isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. You have your own body, energy levels, daily rhythm, budget, beliefs, and health goals. I mean…sure. You want to do your research. But research can prove or disprove…anything. Ask anyone! So…
If you’re trying to live well…_not just eat less, weigh less, or stress less…_then it’s time to zoom out a little. Because the “best diet” isn’t the one with the trendiest name, the strictest rules, the celebs are touting, or the one your local gym is hyping up right now. Or ever.
It’s the one you can actually live with…long-term. The one that supports your whole life, not just your waistline.
Yes. I said that out loud.
So…Let’s Keep It Simple
Instead of chasing perfection (remember…we don’t do that) or trying to out-research TikTok… what if we focused on the fundamentals? I mean.
Because guess what? When you look at even the most seemingly opposite diets…we’re talking totally plant-based, Paleo, Keto, Mediterranean, even Low-fat…they all overlap in a few key areas.
Being the “fundamentals” and “basics” gal that I am…here are the nutrition fundamentals they all agree on, and that totally make sense:
- Emphasize whole foods
- Get enough quality protein
- Incorporate lots of vegetables
- Prioritize high nutrient density
- Eat slowly until satisfied
- Minimize processed foods
That's it. That’s the common ground. I’m raising my hand on these 🙋🏽♀️, so that’s a beautiful place to begin. And you don’t even have to look too closely to see...that these are simple, healthy nutritional guidelines. (Check in with your doctor, if you plan to make any big changes, though.)
One other important question I want to address here is…”How MUCH should I eat?” Oh…this is a goody.
As a quick overview, AND to keep this personalized for you, we’ll use your own hand as a reference: ✋🏽
- Your palm determines your protein portions.
- Your fist determines your vegetable portions.
- Your cupped hand determines your carb portions.
- Your thumb determines your fat portions.
I love using this because, it’s convenient and easy to understand. Think about it. Your hands are with you all the time. Yep. They are in proportion to your body and always the same size. This means they are a reliable reference point for you, and you don’t have to carry those pesky measuring cups or a food scale with you. (Just kidding.)
Now, how MANY portions of each for you, is a different story, and still easy to address…if you know the right peep to help you. 😎
Just know that hand portions aren’t as accurate as macro tracking (more complicated). But they are accurate enough to help you be consistent in your food intake tracking, and ultimately reach your goals. And that’s the point…yes?
Final Thoughts
If the physical area of your life feels chaotic, out of rhythm, or just low on energy…friend…don’t start with restrictions.
Start with nourishment.
Start with you.
Find the foods that:
- fuel your body (energy with the zip and crash)
- fit your flow (simple and sustainable)
- and help you feel like yourself again (you do know who that is…right?).
Boom!
Because you were never meant to just survive your life.
You were meant to walk it out. Strong. Steady. Confident. And JOY-fully full of life.
And when in doubt? Start small. Keep it simple. Stay consistent.
Oh! And to help get you started (or continued) in the right direction…I have a delish recipe that is simple, flexible, flavorful, AND…nourishing, from the inside out. I know!
✅ Why this "bowl" recipe works:
- Whole foods? Yep.
- Protein? Chicken (or plant-based swap).
- Veggies? Roasted and fresh greens.
- Nutrient-dense? You bet—tons of color and variety.
- Eat slowly? The mix of textures makes you naturally slow down.
- Minimal processed stuff? Just real food, and simple seasonings.
Tah-dah!
It’s yours for the asking. Simply comment below, or drop me a message through the Contact Me menu tab above. I’ll get it to ya with a smile.
I believe:
- you were uniquely created by God
- your identity is key to everything you do in life
- you are here to make an impact...on purpose
- your impact has a ripple impact forward
- life and all of it's transitions, are best viewed from a bridge perspective
- life is better when you orchestrate it, vs trying to balance it
- you can live a healthy, whole life
- you can live a JOY-filled life
- I'm here to help
If you love this information, please leave a comment. 👏🏽🙌🏽
0 Comments