Having a balanced diet is vital for the proper functioning of the human body and prevention against several diseases as well. However, today, a lot of people who think that they have a balanced and healthy diet are not necessarily having one. This concept is known as a delusional diet where what we consume mismatches the concept of what we are saying we consume. Being delusional about your diet could cause problems because you are not aware of the fact that you are having any problems.
Research on Diet Misconceptions
General Mills – “The World’s Sixth Largest Food Company” – recently conducted a poll of 1,010 adults questioning them about their whole-grain intake.
Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said they think they eat enough whole grains in their diet – despite the fact that the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee says that 95% of Americans don’t get enough whole grains.
- Only 16% correctly identified that terms like “enriched flour”, “100% wheat” and “multigrain” do not necessarily mean that a product contains whole grain
- 17% incorrectly said that whole grains are always organic
- 28% didn’t understand the difference between whole grain and enriched grain products
These findings come on the heels of another interesting study from Consumer Reports that said 90% of those surveyed identified as having a “somewhat”, “very” or “extremely” healthy diet – even though 2/3 of our country is overweight or obese!
How Would You Know If You Have a Delusional Diet?
One thing about a delusional diet is that you wouldn’t know if you have one. However, if you have these habits in you, there are high chances that you might be on a delusional diet.
Feeling Tired
People who have a balanced diet do feel tired too but the ones that are not on the right eating patterns may have this feeling a bit too much. They may feel tired even if they haven’t worked a lot. According to experts, one reason for this is that the body has not been receiving the essential nutrients and vitamins which are vital for providing energy to the body. Some people might be eating a lot and thinking that they are eating in a good amount but if they feel overly tired, it could be an indication that you are on a delusional diet.
Body Mass Index
One of the best ways to know if you are delusional about your diet is that your body mass index is not reflecting what it should be. You might only be consuming homemade foods that you consider healthy but they might be insufficient or not capable of effectively treating your body. The Body Mass Index is a measure to identify the optimal weight of the body based on the height and age of a person. There are several BMI tools that you can follow online. However, we recommend that you follow the BMI tool by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Check the Food You Consume
Many people are delusional about the fact that they are eating healthy just because they don’t carefully see the food that they are buying. A lot of consumers purchase food products by just seeing the word “Organic” or “NON-GMO” in bold and don’t see the teeny tiny details as to whether the food product is healthy or not. Learn the differences among different types of food terms such as wholegrain, enriched flour, 100% wheat, and many others as well. Once you are aware of their differences as well as the specific nutritional content, you will be able to buy better and consume better as well.
Here are some healthy diet tips for the winter season – Healthy Diet Tips for the Winter Season.
Eat Healthily
You might hear someone saying “My protein intake is good because I consume a lot of beef” or “Let’s have a steak today! Don’t Worry – It’s healthy because it is a good source of protein”. The reality is that this statement is only half true while the other half is hidden as well. For example, beef is a good source of protein but it contains many unhealthy fats as well. Overconsuming could be a cause of several types of diseases as well. Therefore, if you only know the good about a food item, chances are that you are having a delusional diet. Find out the pros and cons of the food items you consume along with their daily intake value as well. This way, you will stay more concerned about the diet you consume.
Also read – Why We Shouldn’t Skip Breakfast?
Conclusion
The fact that the majority of people are delusional about their diet is quite alarming. This is because they are not even identifying that they are facing any sort of issues with their health which is a bit dangerous in the long run as well. Besides, it could create a range of complications associated with your health too.