Diet Revolution: Revealing The Best Superfoods Of 2024

Are you sick and tired of hearing how great everyone is doing on their diet, while you feel frustrated by your lack of progress or enjoyment?

Dieting often involves some form of restriction, whether it’s cutting out certain food groups, adhering to specific meal times, or limiting overall caloric intake. These restrictions can place significant stress on both your mental and physical well-being.

Restricting your diet can take away the joy of eating and diminish your overall enjoyment of life. The root cause of this issue is often social norms and diet culture, which have permeated our world with harmful messages.

So my question to you is, are you really frustrated by your lack of progress, or is it because diets are too restrictive? Restriction isn’t a way to live—it means missing out on the foods you love just because they’re demonized by diet culture.

For many years, I felt compelled by the demonization of certain foods and the hype around specific diets. This obsession led to a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, dramatically impacting my mental health.

But there’s no point in believing all these demonized foods, as literally anything can be demonized nowadays—even water!

It’s time to shift our mindsets to a more balanced approach to eating, where no food is off-limits and the joy of eating is rediscovered.

Diet Culture and Societal Norms

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into a mindset shift from restrictive eating to a more enjoyable and balanced approach to food. We will be looking at some often demonized foods and re-evaluating their place in a healthy diet.

Before we start, I want to mention that this isn’t your typical dieting or superfood blog. My goal is to show you what a real balanced diet looks like—no restrictions, no 80/20 rules, and no gimmicks. This is about fostering a healthy relationship with food, where no single item is off-limits and enjoyment is just as important as nutrition.

The mindsets surrounding restrictive eating are not beneficial and often lead to dissatisfaction with one’s appearance. These mindsets can create unrealistic expectations, as no two bodies are the same, and striving for an ‘ideal’ shape often means going against the natural state of your body.

While dieting can be beneficial for some, it can be highly dangerous for others. For example, dieting is particularly dangerous for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa. Conversely, following a balanced diet to recover from obesity can be beneficial. But remember—don’t restrict! Building a healthy relationship with food is key to long-term well-being.

Diet restriction: Eggs

Eggs are first on this list, as I too have struggled to get past this restriction. At the beginning of my recovery, they were one of the first fear foods I challenged.

Often misunderstood and demonized by diet culture for their cholesterol content, eggs contain good cholesterol (HDL), which helps lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. For more information, click here.

Plus, they are a great source of Protein.

Benefits of eggs:

• lower heart disease and stroke risk
• Protein source
• great source of vitamin A (good for your eyes)
• They are tasty, especially with a sprinkle of salt and pepper

Diet Restricted Carbs

I am sorry, but what in the world is wrong with us humans?

You need carbs to live. If you aren’t eating carbs, then you are basically a walking jelly.

Carbs fuel our body with energy. They are broken down into glucose, which is used as our primary energy source. This allows our brain to function properly, creating a stronger and healthier mindset.

If you are an athlete, or you enjoy sports, eating carbs is even more vital. Your muscles rely on glucose for energy, especially during intense physical activity.

So why do people demonize carbs?

1. Diet Trends: Popular low-carb diets like Atkins and keto suggest carbs are bad, leading to a negative perception.
2. Blood Sugar Spikes: Simple carbs can cause quick spikes and crashes in blood sugar, making people think all carbs are unhealthy.
3. Marketing: Media often promotes low-carb products as healthier, reinforcing the idea that carbs should be avoided.
4. Confusion: Not all carbs are the same. Complex carbs are beneficial, while simple carbs can be harmful if consumed in excess.

Benefits of carbs

• Primary Energy Source
• Brain Function
• Physical Performance
• Digestive Health
• Nutrient Intake
• Blood Sugar Regulation
• Satiety and Weight Management

Avocados in Diet Purgatory

Avocados are one of the most demonized foods out there, primarily because they are high in fat. Many people mistakenly believe that all fats are unhealthy.

However, did you know you need fats to absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K?

While avocados are healthy and packed with benefits, enjoy them in moderation. Eating too many can lead to dietary imbalances.

Additionally, avocados are rich in vitamin K, which can interfere with the effectiveness of blood thinners like warfarin.

Benefits of Avocados

• Good for heart health
• Rich in Nutrients: vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium
• High in fibre
• Antioxidant properties
• Good for skin and hair
• Improves digestion

For more information on Avocados, click here

Fruit

Now, you are probably thinking the same as I am. I thought all fruit was healthy, but according to research, some fruits aren’t.

During my recovery from anorexia nervosa, I struggled to eat fruits like bananas, mangos, grapes, and apples. It was tough to incorporate them back into my meal plan because the internet heavily influenced what I should and shouldn’t eat.

Before eating anything, I’d search the internet for nutritional information, making sure nothing negative was written about it. I found this nearly impossible, as almost everything, even water, gets demonized.

While I understand the perspective of these researchers, pointing out that fruits contain sugar, it’s important to remember these are natural sugars. Fruits offer numerous benefits, such as essential vitamins, minerals, and, of course, their delicious taste.

Don’t let the internet influence your fruit choices. The fruits mentioned above are often deemed unhealthy due to their sugar levels, but they are still packed with nutrients and can be a valuable part of a balanced diet. You can still enjoy eating fruit, even fruits with higher amounts of sugar in them.

Nuts

Due to their high calorie and fat content, they have long been demonized by diet culture. But did you know that nuts are high in fiber and loaded with antioxidants? They are like powerhouses for antioxidants, which may protect your cells and “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Even though they’re high in calories, don’t fear them. Calories are just a number and shouldn’t stop you from enjoying them. Remember, moderation is key to a healthy and balanced diet.

Wrapping Up with Love

I hope this article has helped you understand that no food is inherently “bad” and that, when eaten in moderation, these foods can be part of a healthy diet.

Remember, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Fostering a healthy relationship with food and enjoying a balanced, nourishing diet without unnecessary restrictions is crucial.

I highly recommend checking out Emma Clarke’s podcast! She dives into normal food behaviours that diet culture unfairly demonizes. Let’s embrace a more balanced and joyful approach to eating together!