How important is WHAT you eat?

x_stephisaur_x wrote: »

I've recently started an online physio course aimed at women who have had children in order to help with pelvic floor and diastasis recti.

Part of the programme includes advice on what you "should" and "shouldn't" eat.

As the main focus of the programme is to improve the visual appearance of women's stomachs, I am wondering - are there really foods that I should restrict?

Will giving up chocolate and the occassional convenience food actually affect the appearance of my stomach?

I've always been an advocate of eating what you enjoy as long as it is within your calories/macros/whatever, but I'm wondering if that is actually the case?

I'm sure it's true of those people looking to get defined abs and drop their body fat % to a level that they can be seen, but what about the average woman on the street? I just don't want to look pregnant 2 years after having had my son!

Just curious on other people's thoughts

Giving up convenience food, if it is hyper-palatable, high calorie, and not especially satiating, could indeed help one stay in a calorie deficit, but you are correct that if it fits in your calories you'll be fine.

Well, I still look pregnant at times almost 10 years after having my kids, so....I also had c-sections, so I think there's an little hope in me regaining pre-pregnancy abs without surgical intervention. Actually, the actress Jennifer Garner just said the same thing recently, and she still looks great!

Anyway, back to your original question: While yes, the main thing that's going to impact weight loss will be being in a calorie deficit, I choose not to view food for only that reason. For me, I also focus on higher protein (especially important if trying to build or maintain muscle), fiber and overall nutrient density. Also, as someone else said, I also focus on how I physically feel after eating certain foods. Sure, theoretically I could eat a donut for the same amount of calories as my typical protein/fruit and/or veggie smoothie, but I can pretty much guarantee that one donut will not leave me feeling satisfied...and I'll probably feel like I need a nap!

The other thing to keep on mind is bloat,which women are especially more prone to due to hormonal fluctuations. I'm highly sensitive to bloating, and even if I didn't have that belly flap from the c-sections, often times the bloating as triggered by certain foods and hormones would mask what ab definition I do have (and I do have some). It's individual as far as what can cause bloat, but for me, it's higher carb, salt (pretty standard for most people), and cruciferous vegetables. I think whey protein powder also does it a bit, too.