Dietician talks healthy eating and debunks fad diets
Turns out food is not the problem. It is the way we eat it.
This Women’s Month we focus on many things that impact us and the people we love. Above all else, we are human and we recognise our fundamental need to eat.
Bontle Sebesho is a dietician who works with private and clinical patients in and around Springs.
She spoke to the Springs Advertiser on how to navigate around the murky waters of healthy eating.
The general idea to take away from healthy eating is to recognise that we are all different.
We derive our uniqueness from our genetics, environment, gender, age, race and so forth. All these factors will determine how we eat and what our eating plan looks like. Eating healthy is often looked down upon and people often turn to fad diets to bring them solutions.
“I won’t lie and say fad diets don’t make you lose weight because they do. If you are looking for a fast way to lose weight then a fad diet will work for you. But what you won’t realise is that you will be losing more than fat. Your body will shed much-needed nutrients as well as muscle mass to give you the look you desire,” she said.
Also read: Are plant-based diets good for kids?
Consideration should be applied when eating certain foods warns Bontle.
Processed sugars and saturated fats are not healthy for us. Fruits can be eaten instead of sweets because they contain natural sugars which are healthier.
Bontle also touched on the myths surrounding starches.
“People should stop avoiding starches because the body needs starches to function. Everything should be taken in moderation and all will be well,” she said.
When all else fails, Bontle advises us to take a journey through history.
“I always say we should look at how our parents grew up and what they ate. They had vegetable gardens and their diets comprised mainly of fresh produce,” she said.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not an overnight thing. You can’t cheat your way to having the body of your dreams.
Eating correctly will yield long-term results which will help you lead a long and fulfilling life.
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