When it comes to our health, we often think about our diet. There are so many fad diets out there, promising to transform your body, shed off those extra kilos, and give you glowing skin. Yet, after years of trying, and probably failing, to keep up with the latest trends, we’ve decided to share with you the one diet that has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
The meal plan we’re going to introduce you to is one that has been around for a very long time, and has been tried and tested by generations of women (and men) who’ve worn the weight off. It’s not a new fad diet, and although there are updated recipes and food alternatives available, the premise and underlying concept are as effective today as they were hundreds of years ago.
Why Are We Interested In This Old Diet?
It’s pretty common knowledge that women have been significantly less interested in dieting than men. When it comes to our appearance, and especially when it comes to weight loss, women have traditionally preferred to tackle issues head on rather than using slimming supplements and crash diets. The difference in attitude towards food and exercise may well explain why calorie restrictions and extreme food combining have never been such a popular weight loss strategy amongst women.
That said, as more and more people are led to believe that being too thin is as harmful to your health as being too fat, we’re seeing more and more women opting to do their bit for womankind by going on a diet. In fact, according to the American Council on Exercise, the number of people taking up exercising and eating healthily in an effort to lose weight has risen by 25% in the past year alone.
The Basics of The OLD Diet
You’re probably aware of the basics of the OLD diet – counting calories and restricting your intake of certain foods high in sugar and starch. What you may not know is just how effective and easy it is to implement. Here’s a brief overview of how it works.
The OLD diet stands for “Old” because it was originally developed for those whose bodies were bound to break down a great deal of food simply through aging. People with arthritis, diabetes, and liver disorders often find that the OLD diet helps them to see improvements in their health – both on the physical and mental fronts. This is largely because it encourages them to eat more nutritious foods and get plenty of sleep.
One of the most significant changes brought about by the OLD diet is the way patients with illnesses like cancer and heart disease are able to maintain and even gain weight during their treatment. It is well known that being overweight increases your risk of developing certain cancers and other diseases. However, when overweight patients go on the OLD diet, they often find that it helps them to maintain their weight during treatment, and even leads to them gaining a bit of weight (which is usually very healthy). For those who are currently overweight or who are at risk of becoming so, the OLD diet is certainly a must try.
One of the reasons why the OLD diet is so popular amongst both patients and doctors alike is that it is considered to be one of the safest and the most reliable diets out there. This is largely because it prevents patients from having to worry about what kind of food they should and shouldn’t be eating, and it removes the possibility of nutritional deficiencies. The OLD diet also encourages regular exercise, so it’s good for the environment too.
What Is The One Thing You Need To Have In Mind?
If you’re serious about losing weight and want to try the OLD diet, the first thing you need to do is identify the one thing you need to have in mind. This is quite simple. It’s all about focusing on the positive. When we’re dieting, we often get so wrapped up in what we’re trying to avoid that we forget about all the good things in life. When you’re struggling with a weight problem, it’s easy for everything to just seem grey – even the foods you want to be enjoying.
When you’re starting a new diet, it’s important to keep in mind that everything you need to make it work is already inside you. You don’t need to go out and buy special equipment or workout accessories. Just make a note of how you’re feeling, and take it easy at first. Before you know it, that extra kilo will be gone, and you’ll be feeling better than you’ve ever felt in your life. Remember to keep in mind what brought you to this point. It could be that you’ve been unconsciously dieting for years, without even realizing it. Now that you know what’s going on, it’s time to make a change. Make a note of how you’re feeling, and get ready to enjoy life how you want to again.
If you’re new to this, we’d advise sticking to the basics. Counting calories and avoiding foods high in sugar and starch is the perfect place to start. Once you’ve gotten your head around those, you can begin to experiment with spices and other foods to give your diet a different flavor. It’s always nice to experiment with spices and other food items to give your food variety, but that can really up your calorie intake, so make sure you keep track of what you’re eating. If you decide to go down the spice route, you may want to try adding in some ginger or garlic. You’re not restricted to these items though, and you can definitely experiment with whatever you want to try – as long as you keep in mind the basics.
How Does It Work?
So how does the OLD diet work? Let’s take a look.
The OLD diet encourages you to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, which are both low in calories. These are the keys to losing weight on the diet. You’ll begin to see significant results after just a few weeks.
This is mainly because of something known as the Carbohydrate-Protein Balance. When your body uses carbs and proteins simultaneously, it maintains proper functioning. When one of these nutrient groups is in surplus, the other is in deficit. Deficits in either of these groups can lead to health problems. However, when you eat according to the right ratio of carbs to proteins, you won’t experience any problems. So keep that in mind.
The OLD diet also restricts the amount of food you take during the day. You’re advised to eat three meals per day, and each one should contain the correct proportion of nutrients to achieve this balance. It’s always a good idea to eat the bulk of your daily calories during the morning, as this is when your body’s naturally set to receive nutrients. Your body doesn’t store nutrients as well when eaten at night, so it’s best consumed during the day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Make sure you chew your food well before you swallow, in order to ensure that all the nutrients are available for your body’s use.
If you find that you’re not enjoying the foods you’re eating on the diet, or if you’re just going through the motions without really knowing why you’re doing it, it’s time to re-evaluate. Are you perhaps overeating? Are you just not used to eating vegetables and fruits? If you’re in doubt, try going on a fast for a day or two, to give your body a kick start and get it used to the idea of eating healthier.
The Main Benefits Of The OLD Diet
With the right mindset, the OLD diet offers a number of benefits. Here’s a short list.
- It’s easy to follow – as long as you keep in mind the basics.
- It’s effective – especially for those who are clinically obese or overweight
- It encourages regular exercise
- It helps to reduce stress and anxiety
- It’s good for the environment
- It has a relatively low insulin load – which is good for people with diabetes
- It reduces the number of calories you take in
- It promotes good digestion
- It helps to maintain a healthy appetite
- It helps to regulate blood pressure
- It’s a good choice for those with cancer or heart disease
The OLD diet is an oldie but a goodie. It’s been around since the 17th century, and although there are updated recipes and food alternatives available, the underlying concept and effectiveness have not changed. If you’re looking for an easy and straightforward way to lose weight, try out the OLD diet. Who knows – maybe this is the key to your healthy and happy life.