Why do we call it a diet? I think that using this terminology makes me start to feel restricted and I dont like that feeling. Anyone else ever feel this way?

Also, how do we know what are natural instints are after years of being involved in disordered eating? I remember eating alot of red meat when I was younger, but not sure if that leads me to believe that "naturally" I am better with a red meat diet.

So confusing sometimes.

Diet means "all the food you eat." My diet is what I eat; this is different from "going on a diet".

I don't like calling it a "lifestyle" though, because there's way more to my "lifestyle" than my "dietary needs for health." Torah Judaism is a much bigger demand on my "lifestyle" than healthy eating is.

I guess you could say that, by following my SWAMI, I'm "living an alternative lifestyle" but that term more commonly means something entirely different.

I've also felt strange about calling it a diet, but I have no idea how to avoid it when someone seems leary of my not wanting to eat what they deem "real" food. A long explaination gets divisive quickly.

How about "I'm eating for one"? Too snarkey?

Eating plan?

I don't know.  I don't ever think about the way I eat as being a diet.  I just eat what is healthy for me.

I prefer to call it a lifestyle because for me whatever I do 24 hours a day is being guided by my Swami plan... how I choose to relax (or not), what I choose to eat, what type of exercise I do or not do, how I interact socially (stressful or happy), it is all guided by what I should or should not be doing for total health ... the environment I move in, how to counteract or compensate for external stressors ... it is a lifestyle to me ... the moment I entered this path it went beyond the 'what to eat or not eat options' many other 'diets' solely concentrate on!  

the Greek word δίαιτα (diaita), meaning "mode of life" or "lifestyle."

Somehow the word "diet" was changed from a noun to a verb in western society.

Your diet is just the way you eat!

Because we are so used to being bombarded by this diet and that diet it is easy to forget it also means just as Lola stated above.

Quoted from Cristina

I prefer to call it a lifestyle because for me whatever I do 24 hours a day is being guided by my Swami plan... how I choose to relax (or not), what I choose to eat, what type of exercise I do or not do, how I interact socially (stressful or happy), it is all guided by what I should or should not be doing for total health ... the environment I move in, how to counteract or compensate for external stressors ... it is a lifestyle to me ... the moment I entered this path it went beyond the 'what to eat or not eat options' many other 'diets' solely concentrate on!  

Yes!  I relate to your perspective, Cristina!  

Quoted from Cristina

I prefer to call it a lifestyle because for me whatever I do 24 hours a day is being guided by my Swami plan... how I choose to relax (or not), what I choose to eat, what type of exercise I do or not do, how I interact socially (stressful or happy), it is all guided by what I should or should not be doing for total health ... the environment I move in, how to counteract or compensate for external stressors ... it is a lifestyle to me ... the moment I entered this path it went beyond the 'what to eat or not eat options' many other 'diets' solely concentrate on!  

Cristina, these are inspiring words. Thank you.

I call it *Food Therapy*.

It's funny, because it is all about connotation of the word.

If you say, "I choose to eat this way" it can threaten some people. If you say, "My doctor has me on a special diet" then people tend to be sympathetic. If someone is truly interested, then I do think lifestyle or optimum food choices are better terms to talk about it.

"Diet" in our culture does connote restriction and deprivation for the purpose of losing weight.

Think about going for what you want and forget the language in your own mind.

the word diet here in Europe, even that we aren't Europeans...we ARE SWISS...
is taken for fad -ugly-not wished-nor understood- recommendation....I always recommend :bloodtype specifique nutrition or depending onto their genotypes.... even the word genotype makes fear here coz the typings itself is still forbidden here in Europe (alos in Switzerland.)..only the use of the word for *health related* or prevention...then it's ok...and accepted... but when you tell peeps here you're going to implement spittest or similarities they get freightend of the finest...you see how *bad agreements* or better said expectancies/ conditioneerings  do work.............. once into their heads... never will leave....

Quoted from Cristina

I prefer to call it a lifestyle because for me whatever I do 24 hours a day is being guided by my Swami plan... how I choose to relax (or not), what I choose to eat, what type of exercise I do or not do, how I interact socially (stressful or happy), it is all guided by what I should or should not be doing for total health ... the environment I move in, how to counteract or compensate for external stressors ... it is a lifestyle to me ... the moment I entered this path it went beyond the 'what to eat or not eat options' many other 'diets' solely concentrate on!  

I share this perspective!  Well said!

Diet = restricted food intake (not necessarily healthy).  Like a yo-yo.  Weight goes down and then up again.

Eating foods that are healthy over the long run = sustainable health.


Cristina said it eloquently and I relate to those words.

Joy

Quoted from Amazone I.

....I always recommend :bloodtype specifique nutrition

I like this.  

Quoted from AKArtlover

It's funny, because it is all about connotation of the word.

If you say, "I choose to eat this way" it can threaten some people. If you say, "My doctor has me on a special diet" then people tend to be sympathetic. If someone is truly interested, then I do think lifestyle or optimum food choices are better terms to talk about it.

"Diet" in our culture does connote restriction and deprivation for the purpose of losing weight.

Think about going for what you want and forget the language in your own mind.

Yes, I say my truth, the short edited version that is! ie. my herbalist introduced me to eating for blood type.

And, I  love Food Therapy Drea!

Here in Australia the word "diet" has similar connotations - restrictive way of eating that is usually temporary (and generally ineffective in the long run). I like the term "personalised nutrition program" or even upscaling that to "personalised health program" (based on Cristina's thoughts).

How about " I'm eating right for my type... Would you like to know more about it?"

I also like *bloodtype spécifique cell nutrition *  

Quoted from Lola

the Greek word δίαιτα (diaita), meaning "mode of life" or "lifestyle."

or "way of living". It's ancient Greek.

There's also the verb derived from the same stem, "diaitao" - to feed in a certain way, to lead a certain course of life; and even: to be an arbiter, and: to determine, to decide.

To me this very much signifies free choice and tolerance.

I prefer to use the word "protocol".  It's an eating protocol I follow to keep myself healthy.

Diet is an "avoid" in my vocabulary!

Quoted from DenverFoodie

Diet is an "avoid" in my vocabulary!

"Being on a diet" -- sounds restrictive .....and filled with deprivation

"Choosing to follow a personalized dietary protocol"  sounds healing.