I understand how appealing it is to diet — especially in January, when we’re flooded with social media posts, adverts and headlines promising a “fresh start,” “new you,” or a quick fix for the inevitable Christmas weight gain.
But if I’m being completely honest, this really upsets me.
Restricting your food intake — particularly eating lots of raw food when it’s cold — goes against our natural and instinctive rhythm. And when we work against that rhythm, it stresses the body.
You might not consciously notice it, but underneath the surface your body feels it. That stress can show up as:
- Poor sleep
- Breakouts or skin issues
- Weight gain despite eating less
- Feeling irritable or snappy
- Constant fatigue
These are all subtle signs that your body is under pressure.
Why Diets Make Us Feel Miserable (and Don’t Work Long Term)
The moment you decide to “start a diet on Monday” is often the moment deprivation kicks in.
Suddenly, everything feels off-limits. You tell yourself you’ll only eat salad forever, so naturally your body rebels — cue binge eating. And let’s be honest… that’s miserable.
Even if you do lose weight, what usually happens?
You reach a point where you feel good, start eating “normally” again — and more often than not, the weight piles straight back on.
That cycle is exhausting, demoralising, and completely unnecessary.
Dieting and Fertility, Pregnancy & Postnatal Health
If you’re trying to conceive, recently had a baby, or are breastfeeding, dieting is especially unhelpful.
Preparing for Pregnancy
If you’re eating a low-fat, low animal-protein diet while getting ready for a baby, you may be missing essential nutrients needed to support:
- Healthy eggs
- A nourished uterine lining
- Hormonal balance
After Having a Baby
If you’ve recently given birth — particularly if you’re breastfeeding — going on a diet can leave you feeling depleted, miserable and running on empty.
Your body is doing a lot:
- Producing breastmilk (which requires serious nourishment)
- Healing an internal wound where the placenta detached — roughly the size of a dinner plate
- Rebalancing hormones
- Putting organs and bones back into place
- Coping with sleep deprivation
And if you had a C-section, there are seven layers of tissue that need to heal back together.
This is not the time to restrict food.
So… What Should You Do Instead?
I don’t use the word diet at all.
Diet implies something temporary, when in reality, feeling good and maintaining a healthy weight comes from long-term food and lifestyle changes.
I don’t follow a specific diet either — not vegan, keto or paleo.
And I avoid most so-called “healthy alternatives” because many are ultra-processed, low in nutrients, and full of rubbish.
What Healthy Eating Actually Looks Like
Healthy eating isn’t about restriction. It’s about understanding what and when to eat, and learning to listen to your body.
Ask yourself:
- Does your body prefer little and often, or three proper meals a day?
- Are you drinking enough water? (Hunger and thirst send the same signal — many people are dehydrated, not hungry.)
- Do you avoid full-fat foods out of fear they’ll make you gain weight? (Low-fat alternatives often do the opposite.)
- Are you relying on “healthy” snacks like protein balls or Nakd bars?
- They’re fine occasionally, but they’re often 50% dates — eat several a day and that’s a lot of sugar.
Other common habits that stress the body:
- Skipping breakfast – this signals famine and encourages fat storage
- Eating late at night – you’re fuelling up to do nothing, so excess energy is stored as fat
Want Support Without Restriction or Misery?
If any of this sounds like you — and you want to lose weight or simply eat more healthily without cutting out everything enjoyable — get in touch for a Quick Food Blitz.
Quick Food Blitz
- 55-minute session
- Zoom or face-to-face
- £120
We’ll focus on eating well without starving yourself, feeling deprived, or ending up bingeing on “feel good” food.
And yes — coffee and dark chocolate are absolutely allowed
👉 Get in touch to book.
