If you’re like many people, being told you have to avoid something can lead to obsessive thoughts and may even make you want it more. Food is a great example. Strict dieting can lead to feelings of exclusion and deprivation – and on the flip side, feelings of failure and guilt if you are not following the diet. Many people give up completely when they realize the diet is too difficult to follow long term. Expert opinions on the role of strict diets vary, however one large scale study* showed that adding more healthy foods instead of avoiding “junk foods” led to more positive health outcomes. I am encouraged by this because it not only proves its effectiveness, but also focuses more on the positive and less on the negative. We wish you a wonderful November and a very Happy Thanksgiving!
*”Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017″ was published in the journal Lancet.
Mary Beth and Beth – your cancer center dietitians
