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Ben Smith

The flaws of restricting nutrient groups.


Cut carbs, cut fat, cut salt, cut this, cut that... We're constantly fed this information by people who strongly sit in some kind of camp, that warns you away from a certain nutrient. The first overlying point here is that this is not sustainable, but I want to dig a little deeper into the nuances.


As humans, we are very adaptive, and this is one of the most amazing features of being a human being. We're able to mould and shape to the environment we currently adopt - which is of course a huge advantage. However, when it comes to certain nutrients, if you're looking to hide from one of the effects they hold, you cannot avoid them forever.


One example I wanted to use was salt, or sodium. If you reduce your salt intake, maybe to reduce water weight, in time, your body will find a new "set point" with the amount that you consume. What this means is, eventually, you will hold exactly the same amount of water as you originally did, but now you will be limiting your salt intake. When you do run into salt, the water retention that will result is actually going to be much greater - because you are used to much less.


Another great example is fibre. If you limit your fibre intake, maybe to avoid bloating... you will have to face up to it one day. You're far better off gradually increasing your fibre to a sustainable level, allowing your body to become accustomed to it. Because sure enough, it will!


The point being, find a sustainable balance, with any nutrient, so that you never have to fear the result of eating a certain meal.






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