A lot has changed in the world of fashion since the coronavirus pandemic began. We have shifted from regularly attending glamorous parties to staying at home in our pyjamas, craving comfort food and putting on weight. We are no longer able to look to fashion magazines for inspiration, so we are turning to experts for help.
Dr Oz’s Fad-Proof Eating Plan
In times of crisis, we often turn to celebrities for advice and guidance. In this case, we can thank Dr Oz for putting forward some tried and tested methods for getting our eating habits back on track.
The doctor’s advice comes as no surprise as he has appeared on the scene precisely at the right time. Having survived heart surgery as a child, he understands the importance of eating healthily and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Here he shares his top tips for achieving weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, as well as dispell some of the common myths surrounding healthy eating.
Focus On Food, Not Counting Calories
It is well-known that our appetite can be stimulated by certain smells and tastes, so when we are presented with food that we crave, we are more likely to overeat. This can cause weight gain.
To avoid this, Dr Oz suggests avoiding highly processed foods and instead opting for fresh produce and whole-foods. The doctor also advises against taking fad diets, as they rarely promote long-term weight loss and can, in fact, sometimes cause more harm than good.
In keeping with these principles, he guides us through a 7-day eating plan that will help us lose weight and improve our health. We begin each day with an alkaline diet, consuming more fruits and vegetables than usual while limiting our intake of dairy and meat. On day 2, we move onto a moderate diet, and increase our intake of whole grains, low-fat dairy, and plant-based fats. On day 3, we continue to build our diet, incorporating more vegetables, fruits, and whole-grains. On day 4 we reduce our intake of dairy and meat to two servings a day, and on day 5, we introduce an even more reduced diet, which is perfect for those aiming to shed some pounds.
On day 6, we go back to our usual diet, incorporating a bit of what we have learned over the past few days. Finally, on day 7, we bring it all together, incorporating a bit more of what we have learned over the past few days. This way, you will never be weighed down by too much information, but will instead emerge feeling refreshed and motivated to continue.
Eat What You Want, When You Want It
One of the biggest struggles that comes with a lockdown is that we are denied the opportunity to socialise and go to restaurants, which is why it is so important that we continue to eat healthy on the Internet. Having food delivered to your home, or even just finding a quick bite to eat while commuting, presents a real opportunity to ensure that you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
People around the world are already taking advantage of this, with London restaurants posting up to 30 per cent more business compared to before the pandemic. Similarly, food delivery apps saw a 21 per cent increase in demand for healthy options during the pandemic. So, if you are looking to shed some pounds, you should consider taking advantage of this trend and eating what you want, when you want it.
This is probably the simplest and most effective way to shed off those extra pounds, as you will not only be giving your body the nutrients it needs, but you will also be creating an opportunity to practise healthy eating and prevent any complications that can arise from a poor diet.
Skip The Booze, And Take Advantage Of The Coffee Shop
Many of us are turning to coffee shops and cafés for some sunshine and a break from the house. For those who are looking to lose weight, however, these places can also be a temptation, as beverages usually come in larger sizes than usual and are served in styrofoam cups. This is why it is so important to be mindful of what goes into your body and how much you consume.
The caffeine in coffee is known to prevent the oxidation of fats in the body and, therefore, can be used to treat disorders such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. So, instead of getting a café au lait, get an iced coffee, and you will feel satisfied, but not overfilled.
Take Sustainability Into Consideration
More and more people are recognising the damage that their unhealthy eating habits have caused. A leading nutritionist, Dr Elizabeth Montgomery, is quoted as saying, “The problem with the contemporary approach to food is that it is not sustainable. We have to change the way we eat if we want to change the way the planet functions.”
It is well known that our food choices affect the environment, with animal products being responsible for a great deal of climate change. Between the production of food and the growing of crops to feed those animals, natural resources including water are heavily consumed. The damage that these practices do is increasingly being recognised and, as a result, more and more people are considering adopting a more sustainable diet. What’s more, as the population becomes more aware of the damage that they are doing, they are also more motivated to change. Buying organic produce is one way of demonstrating your commitment to sustainability, as well as reducing your carbon footprint. What’s important is that you feel good within yourself and have the will to change, and that’s precisely what Dr Oz is aiming for.
More Than Meets The Eye
People are more than just fat and thin, they have a whole range of experiences that go along with being a certain weight. One of the most effective ways to lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle is to treat yourself as an individual and not a number. When you see a number on a scale that represents the ‘perfect’ weight for you, it can feel a bit overwhelming as you perceive yourself to be deficient in some way. So, by recognising that there is no such thing as a perfect weight, it becomes easier to accept that you are unique and have the will to change.
Additionally, if you start to feel guilty about eating the foods that you love, the feeling of deprivation can make you less likely to make healthy choices. To prevent this, it is important to remember why you are doing this. You are on this journey to improve your health and decrease your weight, and nothing more. Guilt will only hold you back.
Back To Basics
In a perfect world, we would all be able to practise what we have learned, as there would be no need for an expert. Unfortunately, until this pandemic is over, we will have to rely on our own resources. To that end, it is important to go back to basics and remember why you are on this journey in the first place. By establishing a healthy diet and daily exercise routine, you will find that daily chores such as cooking and cleaning become much easier, and you will have the energy to tackle the world again.