Hey there! Have you ever wondered why, even though you're trying your best to eat healthy, those extra pounds just won't go away? It can be super frustrating, but don't worry, you're not alone.
Let's talk about why eating clean might not always lead to weight loss.
First things first, what does "clean eating" really mean?
Well, it's all about choosing fresh, whole foods that are packed with goodness. Some folks do it because it makes them feel amazing and full of energy.
Others hope it'll help them lose a bit of weight. But here's the thing: while clean eating works wonders for some people, it's not a magic solution for everyone.
I often get questions from people just like you, wondering why their efforts to eat healthy aren't paying off.
Maybe you've been hitting the gym and filling your plate with all the right stuff, but the scales just won't budge. Sound familiar?
If so, you're in the right place. Let's explore some reasons why clean eating might not be doing the trick for you:
Too Many Calories: Even if you’re eating healthy, in order to lose weight you must be in a calorie deficit. Just eating all healthy food will not lead to weight loss if you’re not working out and still taking in more calories than you burn Some healthy foods can pack a punch when it comes to calories. Things like nuts, avocados, and oils might be good for you, but they can add up fast if you're not careful about how much you eat.Raw vegetables are nutrient dense, low in calories, and high in fibre. They will keep you full for a long time, and are great for your overall health.
Not Enough Calories: If you’re not over eating, you could have the opposite problem – eating too few calories! When you eat almost entirely nutrient-dense foods, (especially if you eat salad a lot, or lots of fruits and veggies and not a lot of protein) the calorie intake doesn't add up quickly. Eating salads everyday benefits your health, but eating only vegetables or a vegetable heavy diet has fewer calories, lots of fibre, and keeps you full longer. These foods can cause you to feel as if you are eating a lot of food when in fact you might barely be consuming 1,200 calories a day. For many people, that’s simply not enough fuel (especially if you work out) and the body won’t drop any excess fat because it has gone into a starvation mode.
This can sometimes be an issue for vegans and vegetarians - especially if they aren't getting enough protein in their diet. Check out "How to live an active lifestyle on a plant based diet."
Also, as your lean muscle mass increases so does your metabolism and your calorie needs. So if you have been eating clean and lifting weights, you may need to increase your calories a bit to continue to see the fat burn away - this is call a reverse diet.
Using Food as a Reward: This goes back to consuming more than you burn. If you are in a habit of allowing yourself a dessert, extra portions or something sweet because you had a hard day or got your workout in, no matter what the rest of your diet looks like you could still be adding in tons of extra calories. Even if you stick to a super clean diet all week, if Friday is pizza and beers with friends, you’re not going to make much progress towards your weight loss goals.
Liquid Calories: What you drink matters too! Sugary drinks, fancy coffees, even smoothies can be packed with calories if you’re in the habit of sipping more than your chewing this could be a problem. Whether it is sodas, calorie-heavy coffee drinks or alcohol, those liquid calories can add up fast. Even smoothies can really spike your blood sugar if they contain only fruits or added sweeteners. This again comes back to calories – you can drink a few hundred calories pretty quickly without even realising it, and those add up.
So, what's the takeaway? Clean eating is awesome for your health, but it's not a guaranteed way to lose weight. If you're not seeing the results you want, it might be worth taking a closer look at your calorie intake. Finding the right balance for your body and goals is key.
Hang in there! Losing weight can be tough, but with a bit of patience and perseverance, you'll get there. Keep up the good work, and remember, you're doing amazing just by making healthy choices every day.
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