Sugar and spice and all things nice

I seem to have every diet book ever written, and you know what - they all contradict each other in one way or another.

Eat protein, don't eat protein;
Eat as much cheese and eggs as you want - but don''t touch the carbs;
Low fat = low body fat

And it's all backed up by countless study, medical research and lots of glowing testimonials. Fact is, most diets work in the short term, but over the life-term, if boredome doesn't set in I can almost guarantee the weight will creep back on as you stop watching the portion sizes, you forget to look at the labels and "maintenace" becomes "i've put on 5 kilos - when did that happen?"

In the main most "diets" are a from of calorie restriction. Removal of one or more of the major food groups - hence weight loss. However, there does seem to be a common factor or two:
1. Eat less, exercise more;
2. Avoid sugar;
3. Avoid added sugars (hidden sugars in processed foods);
4. Avoid white flour, fried foods and hydrogenated oils.
All seem to be the first things most diet books insist you take out of your eating patterns. So - no cakes, biscsuits, pastry, sweets, chocolate, chips, crisps, takeaway and soft drinks.

So what's left?
Fruit, Nuts, Seeds, Wholegrains, Veggies

But then the debate starts -

Are you allowed to eat cheese or milk, should we switch to soy? What about alcohol and caffeine?

I personally feel that is we take out all those thiings every diet and health professional tells us we shouldn't be eating anyway, therest pretty much takes care of itself - with a qualifier - if you eat more than your body needs or can use in a day, you will gain weight. So if you have honestly taken out all the "bad" stuff and you're still not losing weight - then it's time to check the portion sizes and the ingredients a little more closely.

One of the things I have found is that like most things if you make it yourself you know what goes in it. But inside the pre-packaged mass produced foods that fill the supermarket aisles, preservatives, additives, colours and flavour enhancer are added to base ingredients and high on the ingredient lists are sugar and salt.

So what do you do? Well that's up to you - but one of the things that I try and incorporate into my life is moderation. If I am going to eat sugary, salt laden fried food one day, it's important to eat lots of fruit and veggies the next. But I do need to do more exercise...I still have way to much body fat stored for the next famine to be truly healthy.