Do you know what foods your should be eating?
New research shows that women are feeling confused about dieting, and these are outweighing feelings of sacrifice and deprivation.
We spoke to Zoe Griffiths, who is head of public health at Weight Watchers, about the confusion of diets and healthy eating.
Why do you think people are so confused when they try to start a healthy eating plan?
We live in an environment where we are surrounded by an abundance of food choices and messages, driven by the media and celebrity intrigue. The extensive range of health promoting products on the market now sees over half of UK women unsure where to begin when contemplating weight loss. We believe that Weight Watchers has shaped the way we eat by taking the confusion out of healthy eating; we have been the constant in a noisy world of mixed messages. What we stand for is giving people all the information they need to make ‘informed choices’; there is no good or bad food.
Low calorie and diet foods are often thought to be the simplest approach to weight loss, what do you say to this?
Simply reaching for low calorie or diet foods and thinking that, by virtue you’ll lose weight as a result isn’t going to bring success. In order to lose weight you’ve got to consume fewer calories than your body needs; and do to this you need a weight loss plan that’s built for your specific needs. Low calorie foods can be a great choice; but only when it’s part of a structured weight loss programme. The Weight Watchers Foods range for example, offers smart choices for every eating occasion so it ensures that everyone can say yes to the foods that they love; whether you’re actively trying to manage your weight or simply make smart, convenient portion-controlled choices.
More than half of British women are favouring a diet rich in protein and low in sugar, is this going to lead to success?
Naturally, new foods and diet crazes will float the media agenda but it is consistently proven that a balanced diet fosters long term weight loss, it is essential to take a healthy and sustainable approach to weight loss.
What do you think are the key points to succeeding in weight loss? And more importantly keeping it off?
Any weight loss approach must be realistic, practical, liveable and flexible enough so that people can apply the approaches that work well for them. Sustained weight loss comes from taking a holistic view of all its components - informed food choices, increased activity, behaviour change and a supportive atmosphere.
Tagged in Nutrition Diet Healthy eating Weight loss