Mistake Five
Following fad diets
Atkins, Dukan, Paleo, South Beach, Cabbage Soup… No harm trying them if they promise results, right? Wrong. Such diets tend to emphasize eating certain food groups while omitting or slashing your intake of others. That may help you lose a few kilos in a matter of days, but the effects are short-term and may result in nutritional deficits in the long run, putting you at risk of diseases.
You’re better off controlling your portion sizes while eating regular and balanced meals. Use your plate as a guide: Half should be filled with fiber, a quarter with carbs and the remaining quarter with protein. Women, especially, tend to overlook the need for certain food groups, like protein, which is essential for muscle recovery (optimizing calorie burn) and carbohydrates (see Mistake 6). One green smoothie a day will provide your body with all the nutrition you will need (Green Smoothie Cleanse – Violet Karma)