Do Diet Rules Really Matter?
By Genevieve Cunningham
It seems like diet rules are everywhere. Don't eat this. Make sure you eat that. Fast for this long. Eat this many meals per day. Honestly -- it's a bit too much! It can be so hard to keep up with the changing rules and recommendations. For most people, it's easier to skip the rules and do whatever you want. But is that healthy? Or should we consider diet rules when we choose our meals? If you want to be as healthy as possible, take a look at why -- and which -- diet rules matter for long-term good health.
Why You Should Choose a Few Guidelines
It's hard to do anything -- work, exercise, anything! -- without some sort of plan. You don't have to write down every tiny detail, but you need some basic rules to follow. If you know the basics, it's a little easier to stay on track. Choose a few simple diet rules that make sense to you. Maybe you have an eating window and don't eat past a certain time of day. Maybe you swear by meal replacements at lunch. It doesn't matter what your guidelines are as long as you have some that work for you. Set yourself some guidelines so that your diet and health have a direction and long-term goal.
Why Water is Always a Recommendation
No matter what diet rules you follow, consuming water is always a recommendation and always a good idea. Water replenishes the body. It helps the skin, digestion, and the mind. It can help you lose weight. It can help keep your skin soft and clear. It's so very important; you can't live without it! Make sure that water is high on your priority list, and you'll have at least one diet rule that's constantly pushing you toward better health.
Rules You Can Skip
If you ever feel overwhelmed by the diet advice out there, you're not alone. There's so much! Luckily, there are a few diet rules you can skip. A few include:
Fad diets - Don't jump on the bandwagon. Grapefruit diets, carnivore diets, raw food diets. Just eat well and skip the fad.
Cleanses - If you want to do an occasional juice cleanse after a holiday, go for it. But don't get sucked into detox diets. Water and a healthy diet will keep your body clean and feeling its best.
Diet pills - In most situations, you don't need medication to improve your diet. And if you do, your doctor will advise you. For the vast majority, the pills should stay on the shelf and effort should be put into improving basic eating habits instead.
You don't really have to stick to rigid diet rules. But you should make a basic plan and eat as clean and healthy as possible. With a little guidance and some personal restrictions, you can get your diet on track and reap the benefits that come with a healthy lifestyle.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wichita, Kans.