So confused by different dieting theories

[HeadShoulderHipsandCalves]

I listen to various podcasts (such as Tim Spector's, and Michael Mosely) but I end up more confused when their analysis of the research contradicts other things I see and hear. My diabetic nurse is still saying 'reduce animal fat' but other research suggests it is not as bad as previously thought. Listened to something else this week and it was suggesting whole milk is not the worse option but that milk won't necessarily be great for bone strength.

It's so hard to pick out what's what and separate decent research from media doctors looking for headlines.

Does anyone understand all the research thoroughly, and if so, what approach would you recommend for a pre- diabetic 50 year old with high cholesterol please?

It's so confusing isnt it

Too many voices, fads and contradictory advice

I started IF in Jan

16:8 qt first but then switched to 18:6 after a couple if weeks

I usually eat 12noon- 6pm

It's important to eat wisely in this window

So far, i feel good and have lost inches

I don't find it hard and less obsessed with food and havent binged at all

It's probably rather complex because
Science evolves
It's mind game as well as a physical one ( what works for one doesn't for another usually because they can't keep it up )
Once the body is poorly then what is right is different to what is normal healthy eating ( just like you don't lift weights on a broken arm)
The best advice should be tailored to you , your current eating preferences and problems

what is right for a simple pre diabetic is different to normal good eating ( way less carbs ) but with high cholesterol you shouldn't do what lots of diabetics do and switch to a diet with lots of animal protein without being aware or it's potential fat content

Finding it confusing and contradictory is a mind problem - you do basically know what to do - eat a lot less and make most of it vegetable - but may be using "oh it's confusing and complicated and no one really knows" as an excuse not to make the basic changes

But the thing that I see is that most of the difference comes in different people needing a different approach to help them mentally manage

It is worrying people think ozempic is insulin…..

Anyway, I agree that everyone’s body responds differently to different ways of eating, however it is the principal that less calories is the way to lose weight.

There is constant negativity about limiting carb intake but for most people who do this, it is them limiting processed/refined carbs and exchanging them for ones that contains less sugar and more fibre/nutrients. Most of the carbs people cut down on are cakes, biscuits, crisps, carbs that are combined with fat and sugars like chips, pastry etc for the simple fact that if you need to eat 1600 calories a day, it’s a waste of your allocation to use it on these types of foods, and better to use it on eating more protein rich foods. So don’t read this as if no one eats anything that looks like a carb. They do. They just eat way less of the junky carbs and it’s usually a good way to get weight off. They indulge in them as treats from time to time.

Calorie intake choices are individual to each person - 1600 calories in fast or junk food is still 1600 calories - but the junk will not keep you satiated, it might even make you feel like shit with a sluggish bowel. There was one guy (who turned out to be sponsored by McDonalds) who claimed he lost weight and was healthy on a calorie restricted diet of only McDonalds for a long period of time. But you know my IBS would be screaming and I would be chained to a toilet or loading up on dulcolax.

TMI but reducing refined/ultra processed carbs has all but completely cured my 25 year issue of IBS. You can find any study you want that says these foods are ok, but it often transpires they are sponsored by big food companies… just recently it turned out dieticians on tiktok are being paid by American beverage companies to peddle this kind of thing.

Fat and carbs aren’t ’bad’ in moderation like any food but if you are genetically predisposed to metabolic disorders then you might need to eat less of them than the average person who doesn’t have the same issues.

I do 1 day no food a week and am fishy vegetarian and feel good and steady at my 16 year old weight at 73

Ozempic isn't insulin! It makes your body produce a hormone that increases insulin production when needed and also reduces glucose production.

Nobody said it was insulin.