🥗 The Truth About “Diet”: What It Really Means (And Why Fad Diets Could Be Harming Your Health)
For many people, the word “diet” sparks guilt, stress, or confusion. But in its original form, “diet” was never meant to be restrictive. It simply described how you eat—day in and day out. So how did a neutral word become so loaded with pressure and false promises?
Let’s break it down—and talk about a better, more sustainable approach.
🔍 What Is a Diet, Really?
A diet isn’t a trend, challenge, or punishment.
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Food and Nutrition, a diet is “the habitual intake of food and drink by an individual or group.” That’s it. No rules, no detoxes, no guilt.
Your diet reflects your routines, culture, health goals, and lifestyle. But somewhere along the way, the term was hijacked by wellness trends, turning it into something rigid and temporary.
🚫 “Diet” Became Code for Fad Diets
In popular culture, “diet” often means “fad diet”—a plan that promises rapid weight loss or big results with little scientific support. These diets usually:
Cut out entire food groups
Focus on calories over nutrients
Offer “quick fixes”
Aren’t designed to last
And worse—they often leave you with rebound weight, low energy, or a strained relationship with food.
📜 A Look Back: The Fad Diet Timeline
🥣 1. Cabbage Soup Diet
Promise: Lose weight fast by eating mostly soup.
Reality: Water loss, not fat loss. Missing key nutrients = fatigue, cravings, and rebound weight gain.
🥩 2. Atkins Diet
Promise: Eat bacon and still lose weight.
Reality: Low in fibre, high in saturated fat, and tough on digestion. Not sustainable for most.
🍋 3. Master Cleanse
Promise: Detox with lemon water + cayenne.
Reality: No real detox, just muscle and water loss. Can cause dizziness and blood sugar drops.
🥑 4. Keto Diet
Promise: Burn fat through ketosis.
Reality: Works short-term but cuts carbs and fibre—crucial for gut health. Can strain liver and kidneys.
⏰ 5. Intermittent Fasting
Promise: Eat less often, burn more fat.
Reality: Can help some, but may trigger mood swings, energy dips, or binge cycles for others.
🧃 6. Juice Cleanses / Detox Teas
Promise: Flush toxins, lose belly fat.
Reality: Low in protein and fibre. Often high in sugar. Can lead to nutrient loss and imbalances.
🧠 What These Diets All Get Wrong
They…
✅ Promise fast results
✅ Oversimplify nutrition
✅ Focus on weight, not health
✅ Disregard your mental health, hormones, and gut
They can deliver short-term changes—but at the cost of long-term well-being.
🌱 What to Do Instead: Redefine “Diet” on Your Own Terms
A healthy diet is one that:
Nourishes your body and mind
Supports your gut health
Includes cultural foods you love
Is balanced, flexible, and joyful
You don’t need to avoid rice, tortillas, or pasta. You need knowledge, not restriction.
💬 Final Thought
At Dietisha, I’m not here to hand you another “plan.”
I’m here to help you understand food—and how it can support your energy, mood, digestion, and life. We’ll work together to build a way of eating that works with your body, your culture, and your real day-to-day.
✨ Because food isn’t just fuel—it’s memory, comfort, and connection. Let’s honour that.
Book a session today to let go of food guilt and start building habits that feel good—and last.
