DIETS don’t just reduce weight..

rosevalleygirl23

Here's some food for thought:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/business/the-mental-strain-of-making-do-with-less.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

"DIETS don’t just reduce weight, they can reduce mental capacity. In other words, dieting can make you dumber. "

Today I logged my 60th day on mfp, and I'd have to say I most surely have devoted quite a bit of my mental resources to thinking and learning about nutrition and exercise.

And I believe this to be true! --> "..psychologists find that dieters have spontaneous self-generated cravings at a much higher rate than nondieters..."

I hope to someday find myself to be fit and a non-dieter.

Dr1nkbleachndye

Lol, it could be true. But I find myself wittier and much better at thinking on my feet now. My memory has improved as well

easto_79

I've been feeling dumber lately actually, I've found that my attention to work is not like it used to, not that I spend more time thinking about diets or exercise but rather I just don't pick things up as quickly, I'm doing a low carb diet so I just assumed it was that. I also don't work as much as I used to as I've made going to the gym a top priority. So that is a good thing.

Thanks for this

Sarah

nomeejerome

:huh:

lilacinfinity

Probably, given that many "diets" don't even give the user enough calories to sustain basic functions, it would make sense that non-essential brain processes slow.

Rayman79

A dumbed down article on what is actually a VERY complex issue! I think there is some merit in the idea of 'mental bandwidth' and if people are too preoccupied by 'being good' that other aspects of their life may take less importance for some time.

Some of this comes down to knowledge. If you know how to manage your diet and lifestyle and not be too restrictive in how you approach these, then it takes less ongoing effort than someone who is starving themselves and needs to focus on actively avoiding temptation.

Personal priority comes into it too. How much emphasis does a person put on their own health, performance, strength, looks etc. Anyone familiar with Maslow's hierarchy will be familiar with this concept. If a person perceives these as base level needs then they will get more attention and focus. If these rate as less important to a person then they will be prioritised behind other goals/needs. Think of a person who has had a significant health scare or come close to death - now health becomes a base-level priority!

Wow, sorry for the rant. I just find the psychology of it all quite fascinating.:bigsmile:

gigglesinthesun

so most skinny people have this problem, because in essence they self-regulate their food on a daily basis otherwise they wouldn't be skinny? ... sigh ...

when I was a non-dieter I had cravings too, but I indulged them on a daily basis, because I didn't even think about it. Now I try to think what I put into my mouth so I actually notice cravings for cheese or ice cream.