Dieting is a term that became popular around the time that women decided that thin was "in". For the most part it was heralded by the Twiggy craze but more likely had been a significant concern since dresses began to rise above the ankles.

But dieting isn't always equated with weight loss, nor should it be. Dieting is a term that conjures up images of men and women (but mostly women) who are denying themselves the pleasures of chocolate, bread, butter, dessert, soda, alcohol and any food that remotely carries more than 10 calories.

Dieting is really a lifestyle choice. It is a time when people feel they should be denied something of pleasure in exchange for fitting into the next dress size down. But it is NOT a long term option for either weight loss or overall health.

It may seem like splitting hairs but as humans we all respond best to what we interpret as "best". Because of the connotation that 'dieting' has developed over the past several decades it is much better for those who wish to lose several pounds to consider a nutritional change that results in healthier eating habits.

For example, the South Beach diet advocates eating lots of protein and fat but no carbohydrates. Even the proponents agree that it isn't a diet that should be followed in the long -term because of the abnormal metabolism it creates in the body, altered pH and increased work load on the kidneys. So, once the individual has lost weight they are supposed to transition over to a nutritionally balanced diet that is lower in calories than their previous eating habits. But, nowhere in the program have they learned to eat a nutritionally balanced diet.

Individuals now transition from a 'diet' to a balanced diet that they are required to maintain for the remainder of their lives.

Instead, how much better is it to gently and easily transition from poor nutritional habits to good ones that will help you lose weight and gain better overall health?

Taking the South Beach diet as the example again, the high protein meals they advocate are often also high in saturated animal fats. These nutrients are well known for the negative effects they have on the cardiovascular system and long term problems with heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke.

On the other hand, by easing into a nutritionally balanced diet plan that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, small amount of animal fat/protein and high amounts of water an individual can develop a plan that works for their lifestyle while losing weight and improving their health.

Those who are addicted to diets are enticed by the promise of quick weight loss but it can also lead to unhealthy eating habits and usually only short term success. Using a diet that is too low in calories will cause the metabolism to slow to a snails pace and will sometimes even damage the system beyond its ability to repair itself back to its former glory.

Eating a nutritionally balanced meal means taking control over what is put into our mouths. It means learning that we must eat to live and not live to eat. And it means recognizing the pitfalls in our everyday lives such as the extra sugar in the coffee, cake with dinner and soda and donuts we snarf down during the day at work.

By taking control of our meals and the food we eat, keeping track of the foods that pass over the lips and taking advantage of multiple little weight loss secrets (like the power of water!) we are able to move from a dieter to a person who enjoys the foods they eat and the body they wear.