What’s the WORST food to eat?

We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve been asked this at our gym in Crawley, and our response is always the same. We don’t like to label foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. How could you even define this? What would make one food ‘good’ and the next ‘bad’? Take meat for example. Meat is an excellent source of nutrients such as protein and B12 vitamins but to a vegetarian or vegan meat is considered ‘bad’. So should it be labelled ‘good’ or ‘bad’?

Don’t get us wrong, of course there are more nutrient dense foods that should make up the majority of our diet for good health. But there is no one single food you need to avoid completely unless you have a food allergy or intolerance. Overconsumption of any food is not healthy in the long run but it does not make any food inherently bad. Likewise, while no one would argue the benefits of eating fruit and veg. Eating only fruits and vegetables would not be the healthiest diet in the world either (not to mention it would be pretty boring!)

So when you are next about to label a food as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ we want you to remember this – food has no moral value. It does not define who you are as a person. Eating so called ‘good’ foods will not make you a better person in the same way eating ‘bad’ foods will not make you a bad person. We need to move away from the notion that eating chocolate or cake should make us feel guilty. Chocolate and cake both taste delicious. Why wouldn’t we want to eat them now and then? Why should that make us feel guilty?

Think about your own past behaviours and various diets you have been on. What generally happens when you deprive yourself completely of your favourite food? You end up thinking about it even more than usual and may end up binging. Working to change your mindset and relationship with food will help you to view food as neutral – some we should have more of, some less of, but nothing completely forbidden.

We have a lot of clients walk through our door for the first time having tried every diet under the sun. This is where a lot of the misconception and ‘good’ vs ‘bad’ debate comes from. We often hear phrases such as “Slimming World or Weight Watchers worked well for me last time so I might go back again”. We would have to argue that if it really worked that well, why would you need to go back more than once? That’s where we fit in. Here at Hustle. our approach is different to typical ‘diets’. We don’t ask you to avoid any particular foods. We will work with you based on where you are at, support & encourage you with exercise, educate you on portion sizes if necessary, provide ideas for healthier meals and snacks but importantly we will find a way for you to include the foods you love without ever feeling deprived.

As always, if you want any help or advice please complete the contact form below or click here to get started and we would be happy to help!