Change your diet according to your body, dietitian suggests
Mankweng based dietitian, Motshidi Masekwameng says one must first find out whether a particular diet provides enough energy and nutrients before sticking to it.
POLOKWANE – The beginning of a new year is often looked at as an opportunity for change. The biggest promise many people make to themselves is to have a healthier lifestyle.
Bonus spoke to dietitian Motshidi Masekwameng, the CEO of Dietitians South Africa in Mankweng, who explained that before you consider a change of diet, a person needs to find out whether the particular diet provides enough energy for the body and whether it is balanced in terms of nutrient contents.
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“Find out if you can stick to the diet for a long period. Just because some had success with a particular diet, does not mean it is the right diet plan for you too. A person should change their diet according to health concerns, weight management or allergies. This will assist in setting smart goals which will assist a person to achieve their realistic goals. A person who needs to change a diet or modify it should visit a dietitian for scientific dietary advice,” he explained.
Motshidi said good food choices guarantee healthy eating, which has many benefits and can help you lose or maintain weight.
Good food choices consist of all food groups, which should be balanced to achieve good nutrition.
Each food group provides different nutrients and benefits, so eating a balanced diet is essential when trying to lose weight.
“You will just need to keep portion sizes in check and reduce how often you eat certain foods. Apart from food groups, regulating portion sizes and prioritising fresh foods are also healthy eating habits that can assist in weight loss.”
Motshidi said he does not recommend calorie counting because it is not a sustainable way of losing weight.
“Calorie counting should be avoided, because there is not enough scientific evidence that it works. Calorie counting encourages people to focus on wrong things, creates unhealthy habits and it can work against you. It takes away the focus on nutrition,” he explained.
He added that it is important to have a dietitian tailor the right diet for you, taking into consideration your food preferences and health needs.
He can be reached on 061 283 1508 or via email at dieititansza@gmail.com.
