More can equal less
ANOTHER day, another diet … But before you roll your eyes, let me tell you this one is rather sensible, and could pay off big time in the long run.
It’s called the Volumetrics Diet.
The basic premise of this diet is that you focus on foods that have a low energy density – in other words, foods you can eat a lot of for little kilojoule cost (think: non-starchy veg, lean protein and wholegrains).
At the same time, you try to eat less of those foods that are energy dense (foods that contain a stack of kilojoules in even a small portion – chocolate, biscuits and cake) and you should lose weight. See, I told you it was rational.
Unlike most silly fads, I love that the Volumetrics Diet includes all food groups: fruit and veg, protein, dairy (mostly reduced fat) and grains (particularly wholegrains). This combination of foods is recommended by the Australian Dietary Guidelines – backed by a raft of sound scientific research – so I’m all for it.
If weight loss is your goal, I’d bet my bottom dollar you’d see results with the Volumetrics
Diet. As a dietitian, reducing energy density is one of the key strategies I use to help clients lose weight.
The best part? By focusing on high-fibre, protein-rich foods, you’ll stay full and satisfied throughout the day (read: less likely to reach for the biscuit jar come 3pm).
Another bonus of the Volumetrics Diet is that there are no ‘forbidden foods’. Carbs, chocolate and ice cream are all on the menu – you’re simply encouraged to be sensible with portion size, because they contain a hefty dose of kilojoules. Again, it’s just sensible advice.
The Volumetrics Diet plan also encourages movement, which earns it another gold star. But it’s not all sunshine and daisies. The Volumetrics Diet is sold as a 12-week program, which is one of my pet peeves when it comes to the world of dieting.
Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, a healthy lifestyle, body and mindset cannot come to fruition in a short time frame, either. There’s no such thing as a quick fix – you’ll need to stick to it far longer than the initial 12 weeks to see long-term results.