Tag: Dieting psychology

The World Health Organization identifies unhealthy diet and physical inactivity as leading global risks to health. While often seen as pathways to better health, the risks of nutrition and diet are profound and can lead to serious physical and psychological consequences.

Research suggests that intermittent dieting, which includes planned diet breaks, can result in greater fat loss and improved lean muscle mass retention compared to continuous dieting. Understanding how long is a good diet break is key to preventing metabolic slowdown, boosting motivation, and ensuring long-term success. This practice offers significant physical and psychological benefits for those on a weight loss journey.

According to one study, participants allowing weekly planned indulgences reported 23% higher diet adherence rates compared to those on continuously restrictive regimens. This raises the question of how best to structure that indulgence: as a single meal or an entire day of unrestricted eating?

Despite the popularity of dieting, up to 95% of individuals who lose weight through dieting regain it within five years. This fact highlights the complex and often misunderstood physiological and psychological changes your body undergoes during a diet.

According to the USDA, a standard medium-sized donut contains approximately 200 calories and 11 grams of sugar. Given these facts, the question of whether eating one donut will ruin my diet is a common concern for many, but the answer depends more on your overall eating habits than a single instance.

According to a 2022 review, dieting is linked with an increased likelihood of disordered eating, highlighting the significant psychological and physical toll it can take. This helps explain why are fad diets difficult to maintain and often lead to a cycle of frustration rather than lasting results.

According to research published in 2025, while intentional 'cheat days' can boost motivation for some on intermittent fasting, unplanned cheating often leads to feelings of guilt and derailed progress. The question of 'is it okay to cheat during fasting?' therefore has a complex answer, depending on your goals and the type of fast you are undertaking.

Over 45% of Americans report attempting to lose weight, often using portion control as a primary strategy. However, what are the disadvantages of portion control that many people overlook when focusing on weight management instead of holistic health?

According to research, most of the immediate weight gain you see on the scale after a cheat day is not body fat but water weight. Understanding the real impact of your indulgence is key to managing your dietary expectations and preventing guilt from sabotaging your progress.

According to a systematic review published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association*, while low-carb diets can produce significant short-term weight loss, the difference in long-term weight loss compared to balanced diets is minimal, and rebound weight gain is common. This highlights a critical question: **Why does cutting carbs usually backfire** for so many people?