Probably my most used answer when it comes to dealing with nutrition questions. However, this is not a cop out – the reality is there are so many grey areas when it comes to nutrition and diet…….
“Can I eat Pizza?”
“How many calories should I eat?”
“Will eating carbs make me fat?”
“Should I skip breakfast?”
“Can I drink Alcohol?”
All the questions listed should be answered with – “It depends”. It can be frustrating for those looking for a definitive answer but in most cases the damage is usually in the dose.
“Can I eat Pizza?” – are you talking about 1 slice a month or 2 pizzas a day? This is where “It depends” really is the best answer. Rather than focusing on eliminating foods you enjoy, you should focus on how you can incorporate the foods you enjoy within your diet.
However if you are looking to lose body fat and /or maintain a lean physique you probably won’t get away with eating a Pizza every day or numerous times a week. You will have to have a diet that is 80-90% of ‘nutritious’ foods.
This doesn’t mean that any foods should be off-limits though. If you are sensible and allow for your treats in moderation then there is no reason why they can’t be included.
Don’t focus on ‘bad’ and ‘good’ foods, focus on the bigger picture, what you are consuming over the course of the week, month, year……. This is why “It Depends” is usually the perfect answer for a lot of questions, thereafter we need to look at the context of the question being asked and explores the possible answers.
Remember, there is no perfect diet or magical way of eating – if you want to lose fat then you have to find a way of eating that puts you in a calorie deficit and that you can adhere to for months and years.
Coach Milligan 