Why Do All Diets Fail? (Healthy Hollywood)

Nutritionist Keri Glassman, who regularly shares her expertise on Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live, is answering your nutrition, diet and health questions.

Want to know how celebrities are getting their fabulous post-baby bodies? And, if their diet plan is right for you?

This week’s question…

“I’m having trouble keeping my weight off. I switched out burgers for salads, and I lose weight, but eventually the weight always seem to creep back on. What’s up with that? Help!” — Andi S., Bethesda, MD

Keri says…

First of all, good for you for making the decision to get healthy! There are several factors why your weight may be coming back and it may not necessarily have everything to do with what is on your plate. It’s important to make sure other pound-packing culprits are tackled -not just what you are eating. You’re eating empowered with salads (yay!), but have you been neglecting your gym routine? Are you getting the recommended 7-8 hours of shut-eye each night to keep ghrelin (the hunger hormone) in check and the motivation to continue making healthy decisions? Are you taking time for yourself and keeping your stress levels to a minimum (as best you can!)?

If all of these non-food factors are up to snuff, new research suggests there may be another explanation as to why some peops can’t keep the weight off. Researchers believe being obese disrupts the way the stomach tells the brain it is full. So, even if you are eating a healthy diet and doing everything “right” you may not feel satisfied….and you keep eating more and more in search of the satisfaction.

So what’s a health nut to do if you still Can’t Get No Satisfaction from your veggie bowl? The healthy salad you traded up for may be in need of a little makeover to make sure it does indeed satisfy you. Be sure to load it with high water volume, non-starchy veggies (like squash, celery, cukes), make sure you have a healthy fat thrown in (but be sure to watch your portions — choose avocado OR nuts OR cheese OR olive oil but not ALL of them!), choose a lean protein (chicken breast, salmon, eggs) to keep you full and satisfied, and make sure it hits the spot in the texture department (want crunchy? load up on the carrots and choose nuts!; want creamy? go for hearts of palm and avocado!). Stay tuned into staying satisfied and stay on top of the other lifestyle factors I mentioned and you will be on the road to maintaining your healthy weight.

— Terri MacLeod & Keri Glassman