As a Registered Dietitian I get asked almost daily the question of “what is the best diet to follow?” There are so many diets and plans and theories and philosophies out there it’s nearly impossible to keep track of it all even as a professional in the field.

So let me answer this age old question for you. What is the best diet to follow? The one that works for YOU. The one you can stick with for the rest of your life. The one that keeps you healthy while still allowing you to enjoy your life and the food that comes with it. In fact, it’s not a diet at all. It’s how you want to live.

There are certainly plenty of ‘quick fixes’ for rapid weight loss. But there are no quick fixes for keeping it off. That requires work, and consistency; permanent change, finding something that you can live with for your life. Doing it that way may take longer and in a society that wants instant results, that’s a hard pill to swallow. But it’s necessary. If you’re not doing something you can keep doing forever, odds are the weight’s going to come back.

Find the balance that works for you. If that means subscribing to one of the nutritional philosophies out there, then great. Do your research, learn the approach and make sure it’s good for your overall health. Then believe in it and stay with it.

For me, I’m just not the type that can picture my life without pizza and ice cream. Does that mean I eat it everyday? Of course not. Every week? Maybe, if I’m not training for anything specific. But I try to work it in with the rest of what I’m eating, try to time it well with training and try not to overdo it.

Balanced healthy nutrition. Lots of fresh stuff and limited processed stuff MOST of the time. That’s my approach. I’m not perfect and I still struggle with food choices but I’ve found that this is what works best for me. You need to find what works for YOU!

And don’t be afraid to ask for help 😉