Did you ever feel like your diet plan didn’t “match up” with your eating style? Feeling like your food choices just aren’t working and you’re having trouble sticking to it? I think it’s time to take a closer look at what I call your diet personality.
The good news is that ALL diet plans that trim calories result in weight loss. It’s finding the right one that can be tricky. When you connect with the right eating plan for YOU, it puts the “life” back in lifestyle, and helps you stay on track.
I’ve spent a lot of time figuring this out, and here are some of the most popular diet personalities. Take this quiz to figure out your personal eating style. Your next step is to make small changes, based on the kinds of foods you prefer, as well as when and where you eat. When you can accept the kind of eater you are, it’s a lot easier to develop an eating plan around it. You want to work with not against your natural habits. When it comes to losing weight, one size does not fit all!!
Are you……
-a grazer or a 3 meal a day eater?
-a protein-lover or a carb-lover?
-a day eater or a night eater?
-a home cook or a restaurant eater?
-an intense taster or a volume eater?
Do you recognize yourself here? Post a response and let me know. I’d love to hear how you work with your own diet personality!
Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
Diet Personalities by Madelyn Fernstrom by UPMChealthplan
I tend to be a grazer so I'm trying to adjust my schedule through smaller meals throughout the day rather than 3 large meals.
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law recently moved into my home and I am having to make some really hard adjustments. She takes diabetic medication and has to eat at least three meals a day and right now she waits for someone to come home to eat at night. She has some very traditional eating habits, red meat, potato, and vegatables and I like to eat a lot of chicken and fish. Do you have any advice as to how I can keep on track to lose weight under these new conditions?
ReplyDeleteFamily eating can be a challenge, but your mother in law's needs do not have to derail your weight loss efforts.
ReplyDeleteSit down with her, and figure out an eating plan (including her meds) that work for her, and a list of foods that "work" for her preference and blood sugar wise.
Talk openly about your eatings habits - and your own goals as well. Family eating is all about compromise, and being open to new foods and preparations.
Reinforce with her that the timing of her eating might not always match with yours, which is part of a busy life, and the careful planning of snacks are key to diabetes managemet.
Encourage her to keep eating structured - and if you're running late, make sure she eats a snack - or part of her meal - ahead of time. Try keeping these around, in a special section of the fridge, and in a single cabinet. It's all about compromise, which starts with open and honest discussion. Enlist the help of a diabetes educator for more support.
Good luck, and let me know how you are doing!
Dr. Fernstrom