Last week we talked about the different definitions of diet. This week, let’s focus on how to change your dieting mindset. From now on, a diet is not something you “go on.” Your diet is what you eat and drink. It’s as simple as that.

Whether you’re following a rigid eating plan, or don’t think much at all about what you eat, you still have a diet. This diet is not about deprivation, or limiting options, or counting calories. It’s about making choices. Are you including healthy, beneficial foods in your daily diet, or are you foregoing fruits and vegetables for candy and soda? While it’s important not to consider any food as “bad,” remember that some foods are better for us than others. We don’t have to give up candy or soda if we don’t want to. Indulging in treats is an important part of living life. Food should be pleasing and eating should be enjoyable, but limiting our intake of treats is also important.

This week, take a moment to think about the food choices you are making. Write down everything you eat for a day or two. Include the times you ate, and note what you were thinking or feeling before and after you ate. Then analyze your eating behavior. Do you eat certain types of food when you’re in a particular mood? Do you overindulge in social situations? You might also want to check out the USDA guidelines for suggestions on the types of foods you should be including in your diet for improved health and wellbeing. Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? Do you eat more meat than recommended? Are you getting your 2 to 3 servings of dairy each day?

Once you’re aware of your diet, then you can begin to adjust it. How can you change your eating habits to improve your overall diet? Don’t try to change everything over night, and don’t expect to be perfect in your choices. We make hundreds of food-related choices every day. We can’t expect to make the right ones every time. But making better choices more often can significantly improve our health and help us to lose excess weight. Why not choose two or three ways that you can improve your diet over the next few weeks and focus on those goals? Before you know it, you’ll be building a brand new diet that fits your own needs and objectives. What are you waiting for?

"Eat well. Live well. Be well."