I find it interesting that most of us who choose a certain diet still want to enjoy the taste of traditional foods. What I mean is that a vegan still wants a "vegan burger", a carnivore still craves "carnivore ice cream", and someone on keto still wants "sugar-free cake". It’s funny, isn’t it? We’re all looking for "our version" of the foods we love.
And that’s because eating is just soooo good, it makes us happy. Scientifically speaking, it releases our happy neurotransmitters: serotonin and dopamine. No wonder we all want delicious food! It’s also a moment when we can relax, watch a film, or chat with family or friends around the table.
These days, with so many different “trendy” diets, it’s hard to know which one to follow, which science to trust, or who to believe. We’re constantly bombarded with information, recommendations, and advice — it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with health issues. On top of that, our bodies change as we age. What once worked and made us feel great might not work anymore. Many factors play a role in finding the most suitable diet.
Different types of food (and nutrient ratios) might suit different people. A woman in her forties working in an office all day will need something quite different from a man in his thirties lifting boxes in a warehouse, or from someone living with diabetes. The foundation should always be clean, nutritious, unprocessed, natural food — but the balance of nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fats, etc.) can vary depending on what the body needs.
When a diet is very strict and cuts out lots of foods, it’s almost certain that it won’t be sustainable for long and may even take a toll on the body. Very few people have the willpower to maintain a strict diet indefinitely, and it usually backfires eventually. It can also be harmful if you choose a diet that isn’t right for you. That said, I do believe that in certain situations — for example, when dealing with a health issue — it can be helpful to follow a stricter plan that eliminates common allergens, just to give the body space to heal. But in the long term, a balanced, clean diet is the way forward.
The biggest challenge, once you’ve decided to eat healthily — and by “healthy”, I mean whatever you believe is good for you — is sticking to it. My number one strategy for avoiding foods I shouldn’t eat (in other words, avoiding temptation) is simple: I don’t keep them at home. I just don’t buy them! If they’re not available, I’m “forced” to eat something that fits my dietary choices — or make my own, which is almost always healthier than shop-bought food.
Of course, to make that work, I keep only ingredients and foods at home that suit my (and my family’s) lifestyle and dietary preferences. That can look different in every household — we all have our own goals, priorities, and choices.
And here comes the advert bit 😊
My version of the foods I love — anything that starts with "C" and ends in "hocolate"🙃 — is made possible by using CoreBake. Low-carb, sugar-free, full of fibre, no blood sugar spikes, and a small portion goes a long way. My guilt-free happy foods. You should give them a try too!
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