What is a flexible, dieting lifestyle? Simply put, it’s a diet lifestyle that consists of a simple weight loss plan where you identify the kind of food that fits your daily macronutrients. It is also sometimes called “If It Fits Your Macros” or IIFYM. This promotes flexibility in food intake and the liberty to eat what dieters deem fit. At the same time, it entails consciousness on tracking nutrients to keep the weight off. This is a creative approach that encourages a happy and healthy relationship with food.
If you want to start a healthy living diet, you can try this simple eating plan. It’s important to know that diet and lifestyle work hand in hand to produce optimum sustainable results. Here are tips on how you can successfully incorporate a flexible dieting lifestyle into your routine!
Know your macros
As mentioned, the flexible dieting lifestyle entails knowing your macros. By doing so, you would have an idea of how much you’re allowed to eat for the day. Macro calculators are widely available online. This can help you identify the numbers depending on your gender, age, height, and weight. Once you have obtained your macro values, this flexible dieting lifestyle could help you plan out your meals, and exercise requirements to be effective. It might seem to be a struggle at first, but you’ll eventually establish a routine comfortable for yourself. Be specific with your goal. Is it for weight loss, maintenance, or muscle building?
Read the label
A good diet lifestyle should include knowing what you’re purchasing. This means understanding those labels. Nowadays, as there has been an increasing number of health-conscious consumers, food and supplement manufacturers have been more compelled to disclose the nutritional contents of their products. However, in some attempts to make it appear “healthy,” manufacturers have devised ways on how to make their labels look good to the eye of the consumers.
Food labeling adheres to regulations and guidelines by the FDA. However, it could seem complex to some buyers. Here are some tips to help you decide wisely on whether to spend a buck on that indulging treat or not:
- Look at the back label, not the front
- Check the listed ingredients
- Understand the serving size
- Look for hidden sugar
- Be wary of claims
Yes, we all want that “lite” version or the “sugar-free” claim. But before checking out the counter, know what it really means:
Light
This usually means that products have reduced calories or fat. However, it could mean there is more sugar to compensate for the watered-down version.
Multigrain
It can appear very healthy, but it simply means that the product has more than one type of grain.
Natural
You might think that the product retains its natural components. It simply means that they have incorporated a natural food source like fruits or grain.
Organic
A lot of people keep falling for this claim. Organic is not synonymous with healthy. For instance, organic alcohol is still alcohol, and organic sugar is still sugar. It doesn’t remove the fact that if you intend to consume the same amount of sugar, switching to organic will automatically make you healthy.
No added sugar
Be mindful. This doesn’t mean the absence of sugar. It simply means that they did not add sugar. Similarly, sugar substitutes could have been used to replace it instead.
Low calorie
The standard for this is the original variant for that specific product. A claim that it is low calorie means it has a lower calorie than its predecessor.
Low fat
Some find this very attractive. However, bear in mind that although fat content has been reduced in the product, it could mean that there could be additional sugar content to make up for its taste.
Low carb
While it’s great to strictly limit your carb intake, keep in mind that regardless if it’s low carb if it’s processed, it still doesn’t make it healthy.
Fortified
If you need added nutrients, check how the product has been fortified. It’s not synonymous with being healthy. It simply means that an additional vitamin has been added to the original recipe.
Measure your meat
While a flexible dieting lifestyle allows you the liberty to some extent, you should be wary of your food portions.
Watching portions is important to just about any diet lifestyle simply because eating in large amounts means you’re eating more. A lump of meat with a higher grammage means more calories, so if you’re watching your macros, it might compromise the way you should eat for the rest of the day. A quick tip to help you stay within the right portion is to use smaller plates. It tricks the mind that you’re eating a lot through your visuals. Always order in small sizes or prefer appetizers rather than entrees. If, for instance, that you can’t avoid large portions, you could share it with family or friends.
Take control
A healthy living diet should compel you to take control. Always remind yourself why you’ve decided to take this journey. Changing your diet and lifestyle takes effort and sheer determination to overcome temptations and going back to old habits.
When taking control, work within your limits. Listen to your body and take note of cues. Don’t fret too much if you feel signs of hunger. We all need to eat for the day. Feeding yourself frequently in small quantities is healthier than eating everything in one seating. This tricks your body and mind that you’re not famished. But since you’re eating in portions, you are ensured that you do not exceed your macros. Nevertheless, if you do, don’t fret too much, and try to do better the next day. Exceeding your calorie goal once, twice, or even thrice for a month won’t make you gain another 10 lbs.
Conclusion
The flexible dieting lifestyle is a safe eating method that doctors, nutritionists, and fitness enthusiasts find effective. Unlike other lifestyle diet options suggested by many, flexible dieting still enables one to indulge in their cravings up to limited capacity, therefore helping reduce cravings and lapses. What’s even better is that there are available recipes that you can start doing at home if you want to stay conscious about what you give your body regularly. This makes it a sustainable lifestyle diet.