Diet vs. Lifestyle

The concept of following a “diet” has become somewhat of a negative four letter word in recent years. It’s no longer a term for what you eat — It’s evolved to mean a fast,
unsustainable fix to a problem that has likely been years in the making. For example, think of the Keto, Atkins or Paleo diets — they are intensely low carbohydrate, and your body’s
main energy source is carbohydrates. How long do YOU think you could go without your main source of energy?

​Don’t get me wrong — for some, these diets do provide results. However, for most, these are not programs to be followed for the rest of their life. Instead, most dietitians will advise lifestyle changes instead of ‘diets.’ To emphasize the point, the columns below outline the main differences between ‘diets’ and lifestyle changes. Ultimately, lifestyle changes are all about you and your current situation: finding where you excel, correcting what can be improved and moving forward from there. Eating should be enjoyable and guilt-free; after all, you will be eating your entire life!

​A ‘diet’ is ...

​• Fast and temporary You may suffer for a few days, weeks or months to get the result you want, then you move on — often back to the habits that got you into that situation in the first place.

• Difficult and restrictive. You won’t get anywhere unless you change everything right now! Pain is gain!

• “Lose 10 pounds in one week!” ... followed by a 10-pound gain the next week, but the diet’s creators aren’t going to tell you that.

• Self-punishment-You have been “bad” or “naughty” all these years and now you have to pay for your ‘food sin’ and cut it out completely.

• Nearly unattainable-Going cold turkey on soda, changing from meat and potatoes meals to only salads made of vegetables or strictly drinking 100 calorie protein shakes at all meals can leave your body in a tailspin and you exhausted, overwhelmed and wanting to give up.

​A lifestyle is ...

​• A long-term commitment to yourself and your body. You are worth the time it takes to heal and improve your body — the results will come.

• Gradual and progressive-You work to find what works for you- figure out your strengths, where you can work to improve and take steps to improve these areas- no matter how big or small!

• Will lead to results, which are a big achievement!

• About being gentle with yourself. You recognize where you can improve and work on them gradually.

• More realistic-It’s about making long-term changes that can improve your life — like cutting down to half a soda a day, or adding a small side salad to your meat and potatoes.

​Kiersten Nett, RDN, LD
Registered Dietitian
Mayo Clinic Health System

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