Diet: Is eliminating certain foods really necessary?
updated the 14 July 2015 à 18:34Lactose-free, sugar-free, meat-free… All “-free” diets seem to be the trend these days. But are they as healthy or beneficial for us? The experts weigh in.
Today, many of us do our grocery shopping by avoiding meat, cheese or biscuits. “Almost half of women are not satisfied with their body and exclude one or several types of food “, confirms Dr Bernard Waysfeld, psychiatrist and nutritionist. However, it is no longer only about questions of weight. Everything goes wrong between food and ourselves. If some people really have to banish one or several foods from their diet (allergy, intolerance), most of the time the benefits of a total abstinence is unclear.
This, however, does not prevent the “-free” diets trend from expanding. “These diets are reassuring, help us feel less guilty, and are often easier than reducing the quantities. They are also very well accepted socially”, analyses Dr Waysfeld. “Nevertheless, it is rarely the best solution when we worry about our health, because it’s often by eating a little of everything that we are in good health”. The best recipe? Combine pleasure with well-being and moderation.
Read more on our diet report:
Gluten does not necessarily mean deprivation
No, you don’t have to banish sugar from your diet!
Dairy products: An important source of calcium
Meat: Useful in moderation
It is essential to consume good fats
Maureen Diament
