“Chocolates, doughnuts, and ice-cream? No, it has too many calories”. We get to hear this statement from diet-conscious people. A healthy and smart figure is what most of the women adore. The food we eat can have a significant impact on our health. To lead a healthy lifestyle, you need to eat food which is better for health and are energy boosting.
According to a recent survey, 36% of the people in the US are suffering from obesity. Reason? They fail to intake the suggested amount of fruits and vegetables. And to deal with their obesity, people resort to restricted dieting, which means regulating your meals which often triggers mood swings and increases risk of overeating.
But the trends have changed, and bit by bit, people are getting awareness regarding healthy food consumption.
Eating Habits Then vs. Now
All over the world, eating habits are changing rapidly. This change occurred due to the advancement in technology, social media, changing gender roles, and climate change as it has a considerable impact on our lifestyle. When we discuss eating habits changes, the first thing that comes to our mind is fast food.
Previously, people were preferred eating simple veggies and fruits, but nowadays, people prefer to consume processed and high-calorie food. The culture and environment of every state are growing and changing at the same pace.
Dieting Behaviors
Susan Roberts, A nutrition and psychiatry professor, said, "Dieting is not a fashionable word these days." The food available to us and what individuals around us are eating are huge contributors to changing dieting behaviors.
According to the report presented by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the food people eat now is much diverse than it was before. This means that the food that wasn’t a part of the diet in a country 50 years ago is easily accessible.
Similarly, we can observe a rapid revolution in the dieting industry. Formerly, people sought ways to get slim by taking supplements or eating nothing at all.
Dieting is curbing
As per a research conducted by the International Food and Information Council, 77% of the Americans are trying to lose their weight even though they know that dieting is not good for their health. Dieting is all about depriving yourself of the food that makes you fat, as it vitally focuses on weight reduction. Dieting is restrictive and outcome-based, and once the dieter gets back to their old habits, they start gaining their weight back.
Reasons not to follow this trend
This increasing diet trend evolved due to the advertisements that objectify women's slim figure and promote it. This resulted in people body shaming each other on the basis of their size and weight.
Even companies promoting diet food products and medications became the sole reason many people became a part of this dieting trend. Here are some of the reasons that show resorting to dieting is never good.
- Dieting disturbs normal body activities.
- It only offers short term weight loss, followed by weight regain.
- Dieting leads to eating disorders due to food limitation.
- Dieter faces difficulty in concentrating on their tasks as they lack essential nutrients.
- The death rates due to weight cycling (weight loss and regain) is significantly increasing.
Transition to Healthy Eating Trends
Supplies and nutrition intakes evolved over time due to food costs, food availability, and income. The plant-based food was being swapped by eatables that had low starch and fiber, as well as it is high in sugars. Today, people are getting more and more aware of what they are eating and how it can keep them fit and healthy.
On the international level, the new generation is keen on purchasing healthy food items. They are learning from the older generations' mistakes and how dieting has affected their body and eating habits. The crucial fact that people today are ready to pay more on purchasing quality food shows the drastic shift in eating habits. It all occurred by spreading awareness regarding healthy eating.
Fruits are excellent for your health, but they are high in sugars such that their excessive intake can have a negative impact. A balanced diet is what we all need to follow. You don't have to make huge changes in your eating habits at once. The best approach is to make small changes and work on shifting towards this habit bit by bit.
Impact of Influencers
This present era is of technology, and social media is undoubtedly a great source of instilling healthy eating habits among common people. The global market for healthy foods has risen by 6%, and it is expected to grow more.
Bloggers and influencers share their fitness experiences and healthy habits, which is diverting the attention of people towards health food items. These fitness and clean eating bloggers like deliciously Ella are gaining more and more followers helping people to adopt healthy eating habits.
Eat “Healthy” without Dieting
“Healthy behaviors are Freeing." Healthy behaviors are basically the small changes that take place with time. Rather than categorizing food items as good and bad, follow a balanced food plan where you eat everything but within limits.
Studies show that "fat is our friend". By reducing your carbs consumption and increasing your good fat intake, people can lose weight. Now people are consuming food with good fats (Keto Diet) because it is an effective regime that has helped many people manage their weight. These little steps can help you make useful changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.
Trends are inconsistent, and it is continuously changing. Since technology is providing ease of access, people are getting more and more aware of what they should be eating and how healthy eating can enhance their chances of success.
Article was written by Samantha Kaylee
