When it comes to your physical well-being, nothing is as important as proper nutrition. So, whether you’re looking to lose weight or improve your health, make sure to choose a diet that really works.
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Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a “miracle diet.” Any effective nutrition plan requires effort, willpower and commitment. And, since each of our bodies is different, there is also no universal “one-size-fits-all” diet. As such, it takes a ton of research and experimenting to figure out your perfect personalized diet plan.
The good news is that most of the work has already been done for you!
Proper nutrition has been studied and meticulously analyzed by the greatest minds in history. Sure, the science behind healthy eating is constantly changing. But some of the best dieting advice of all time has been around for centuries. These tips have helped millions, stood the test of time, and were validated by modern science.
Here are seven timeless, must-know dieting quotes. They’ll help you make some HUGE steps on the road toward a healthier and happier lifestyle.
#1 “Everything in excess is opposed by nature.”
– Hippocrates (400 BC)
Simply put, too much of a strict diet is just as unhealthy as too much junk food. And it won’t help you lose weight either – a steep decrease in food intake lowers your metabolism, making it more difficult to burn calories.
Moderation is key. The goal is to find a balance and learn to enjoy both indulgence AND restraint.
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#2 “Fasting is the greatest remedy – the Physician within.”
– Paracelsus (mid-1520’s)
WHEN you eat is just as important as WHAT you eat. For some reason, this core principle of nutrition is overlooked way too often. But the fact is – your body must spend as much time in a fasting state as it does digesting food (which includes having drinks and snacks, regardless of how small they are.)
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A monthly 24-hour fast can improve metabolism and boost muscle recovery time. Plus, it’s a great way to kickstart a diet.
#3 “If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.”
– Michael Pollan (1976)
Anything that can be preserved long enough to be considered shelf-stable is NOT a healthy food. Nutrients spoil too quickly to be profitable, so they are replaced with sugar, which is an effective preservative. That’s why home cooked potatoes rot within a week, yet a bag of (potato) chips has an expiration date of 12-month.
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So don’t trust the heart-healthy logo – Cheerios are not good for you!
#4 “You are what you eat 80% of the time”
– Martin Berkhan (August 20, 2009)
There’s no need to swear off all your favorite junk food forever. The goal is to stick with the healthy stuff most of the time. Restraint is great but you deserve to “cheat” on your diet once in awhile.
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In all honesty, planning an occasional junk-treat is just a matter of being honest with yourself. “Cheating” is inevitable because the cravings don’t stop, no matter how long you keep up with the diet.
# 5 “Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners. ”
-William Shakespeare (circa 1590)
This seems pretty obvious, but people still tend to forget it. Staying fit and healthy is nothing short of a huge accomplishment. So, it makes perfect sense that achieving this accomplishment takes time and effort.
Don’t be tricked into taking any kind of “shortcuts” – none of them lead to a healthy lifestyle. They all fall into two categories: totally ineffective and extremely harmful to your health.
Understand that all the diet pills, natural remedies and appetite suppressors in the world won’t help someone who isn’t willing to commit to their diet plan.
Hopefully, these quotes helped you learn more about the principles of proper nutrition. Which one spoke to you most? Do you have any time-tested dieting advice to share?
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