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Diet Confusion?
Why You're Stuck and How to Break Free
The problem isn’t a lack of information. It’s the overwhelming flood of advice, opinions, and conflicting diets that create confusion. When you're confused, you can’t move forward—and that’s often mistaken for a lack of motivation.
But trust me, everyone is naturally motivated to become fit and healthy. You just haven’t tapped into it yet.
This article is for you if:
You feel lost in conflicting diet advice and don't know what to trust.
You struggle to maintain a diet that fits your life.
You keep jumping between diets that leave you frustrated and stuck.
Today, I’ll give you clarity on how to find a diet that actually works for you.
The Diet Chaos
We’ve got carnivore, keto, vegan, paleo, vegetarian—the list goes on. Each one has research papers and influencers claiming it's the best.
You’ll see someone thriving on only plant foods and someone else doing great eating no plants at all.
For years, I struggled to find the ideal diet—not just for myself but for my clients. I tried almost every diet out there to figure out what works.
Here’s what I learned:
There are universal food fundamentals that apply to every human. But beyond that, your diet must adapt to your unique situation and goals.
Let’s break down 5 ways to clear the confusion.
1. Fight Limiting Beliefs
We all carry beliefs about food that can either help or hinder our progress. These beliefs often stem from what we've been told by family, culture, or society.
For some, it could be religious restrictions or emotional ties to certain foods. If your choices are based solely on emotions, it becomes harder to make rational decisions.
The truth is, our feelings don't impact the physical world in the same way. What matters is how you function as a human being and meeting your nutritional needs.
Many people restrict their diets due to outdated beliefs about certain foods, such as avoiding meat for ethical reasons. While those feelings are valid, it’s important to examine whether those beliefs are stopping you from reaching your full potential.
Think about your ideal diet, one that strips away all limiting beliefs. How close can you get to that? Becoming aware of your limitations is the first step in overcoming them.
2. Put the Essentials First
When you think about food, it’s essential to focus on what your body needs to survive—proteins and fats. These are the building blocks of life, fueling your energy and keeping your systems running.
Carbs and alcohol, on the other hand, are not essential. While they can be part of a healthy diet, they shouldn’t take precedence over what your body needs most.
Red meat, for example, is an excellent source of protein and fat, despite the negative narratives around it.
It’s crucial to approach food with a mindset that respects the nutritional value of essential nutrients and doesn’t get distracted by trendy opinions or fears.
Try to base your meals on the essentials—80% of your food should come from these vital sources like Meat, fish and eggs, with the remaining 20% being non-essentials, like carbs or occasional indulgences.
3. Understand Social Media
Social media has a massive impact on our views about food, often highlighting extreme diets or oversimplifying complex nutrition topics.
The reality is that the diet industry thrives on attention-grabbing headlines and claims. It’s easy to get drawn into extreme perspectives because they stand out, but it’s important to look at the bigger picture.
A healthy diet isn’t just about what you eat; it’s about your overall lifestyle. If you look at individuals thriving on carnivore or vegan diets, their success isn’t solely about what they eat—it’s about their whole approach to life, including exercise, sleep, and stress management.
Social media doesn’t provide the full context, so it’s essential to think critically about the information you consume.
Don’t let flashy claims cloud your judgment. Evaluate whether the advice fits your life and goals.
4. Don’t Be Manipulated by Business
The food industry is driven by profit, not necessarily by health. When you walk into a grocery store, look at the ingredient list on packaged foods.
Most of them contain a long list of unrecognizable ingredients—things you would never consider putting in your body if you knew what they were.
For example, a simple burger bun might have 23 ingredients, including chemical additives. This is part of the business strategy to make products more addictive or longer-lasting.
The simpler the food, the better it is for you. Whole foods like avocados or meats contain only a few ingredients—mostly what your body needs.
The key to eating healthier is to minimize processed foods and focus on foods with fewer ingredients, ideally those that are closer to their natural state.
5. Fuck Around and Find Out
When you hear a claim about nutrition, the first thing you should ask is, "For who?"
One person’s experience may not apply to someone else, especially when it comes to diet and health. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition.
What works for one person may not work for you because we all have unique needs and circumstances.
For example, a person in a survival situation might benefit from eating donuts, something most people would consider unhealthy. Similarly, there are endless arguments about whether sugar, salt, or protein is good or bad, but the real question is, how does it affect you personally?
Everyone's body reacts differently, and only through trial and error can you determine what truly works for you.
It’s important to explore different options and understand how they fit into your life and goals.
For more insights, visit - thegous.com