Why Diets Always Backfire — And What to Do Instead

Admin
Jun 19
2 min read

Two people walking in a grocery store, discussing. Produce visible. Text reads: "Shanon Safi, Registered Dietitian, Owner - Fuel the Fire." — It's me! On the local news talking about balanced grocery shopping.

Have you ever started a new diet feeling motivated and hopeful — only to find yourself burnt out, bingeing, or “falling off” a few weeks later?

You’re not alone.

And it’s not because you lack willpower. It’s because diets are designed to fail.

Diets always backfire because they were not made to be sustainable.

Here’s the truth about why diets always backfire:

1. They disconnect you from your body.

Diets teach you to follow rigid rules instead of listening to your hunger, fullness, or emotions. Over time, you lose touch with your natural cues — and that can lead to bingeing or emotional eating.

2. They create a cycle of guilt and shame.

When you inevitably “break” the diet, it feels like your fault. Cue the guilt spiral — and another promise to “start over Monday.” This keeps you stuck in the very loop you’re trying to escape.

3. They’re not sustainable long-term.

Cutting out entire food groups or eating in a hyper-controlled way might seem effective short-term — but your body is smarter than any diet. It craves balance, pleasure, and satisfaction.

So what actually works?

Healing your relationship with food.

Reconnecting with your body.

Nourishing yourself from the inside out.

Instead of dieting, I encourage you to explore mindful nourishment — a way of eating that honors your health, your hunger, and your joy. This is the foundation of true, lasting transformation.