‘I tried the world’s healthiest all-natural diet – here’s what happened to my energy levels’

There are so many diets and fitness trends that promise to help you shift the pounds but is it possible to find a food plan that’s great for your body and keeps you full?

Anyone looking to lose a pounds before the summer arrives are spoilt for choice when it comes to dieting. Whether it’s going carnivore, trying keto, following the Mediterranean diet, or trying intermittent fasting, there are a number of ways to put the focus on your food. And now there is a new plan that proving to be a big hit.

YouTuber Will Tennyson recently tried out the ‘all natural’ diet for one week, and the results are in. But does it live up to the hype?

So, what is the all natural diet?

Putting it simply, it’s eating only whole, unprocessed foods — stuff that comes straight from the earth or animals. It cuts out additives, preservatives, and other artificial extras.

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You’ll often hear it called the ‘whole foods’ diet: think fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats. It might sound new, but really, it’s how people used to eat back in the day, before everything became processed. If it worked for them, surely it can work for us too.

For Will, the diet was great. He noticed his skin felt better and he even lost a few pounds. His only real struggle was finding snacks that fit the plan — but overall, he enjoyed the meals and how they made him feel.

However, on his journey he realised that you have to check the label thoroughly. A worker directed him to a ‘all natural wall’ however to his surprise there was hidden ingredients galore.

For breakfast, he enjoyed many meals on his week diet. For lunch on one of the days, he enjoyed brown beef, cauliflower rice and some veggies.

Another meal he enjoyed was a home made chipotle bowl consisting of rice, black beans , steak and vegetables – which isn’t far off from a normal diet.

However, what surprised him most was how filling the food actually was. “The lengths I typically go to find these diet hack foods, make these massive volume meals to keep me full — only for it to keep me hungry,” he said.

“The second I lower the volume and focus on better quality, not only was I fuller, but I also felt better. My energy was better, my gut felt good,” he reflected.

Although Will admits it’s not a diet he could stick to long-term due to how limited it is, it definitely made him rethink what he’s putting into his body.

But what do the professionals say about the ‘healthiest’ diet?

Whole foods come with a bunch of benefits. They’re naturally higher in fibre than processed foods, which helps fill you up faster and keeps you fuller for longer — perfect if you’re trying to lose weight. But the perks don’t stop there.

“A diet high in fiber leads to lower rates of chronic disease and improved digestion and gastrointestinal health,” says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, and adjunct professor.

And while the all natural diet has very few cons, experts do say you can relax it a little. “It’s important to realise that this does not have to be all or nothing. By avoiding that mentality, you will not be setting yourself up for failure,” says Lisa

That said, if you do give this diet a go, expect to do a lot more meal planning — since you’re sticking to specific foods, it’ll take up a bit more of your day. But once you get into the swing of it, it becomes second nature. And if that’s one of the only downsides, it might just be worth it.

One more thing to note: when you eat food in its whole form, it can slightly limit how your body absorbs certain nutrients like fats and sugars. For example, when you eat whole almonds, your body can’t fully absorb the fat inside because it’s trapped in the nut’s cells. But if you grind them up, the oils are released, making them easier to digest.

So what’s the verdict?

You don’t need to overhaul your entire diet overnight. Instead, aim to incorporate more whole foods where you can. Give your body the nutrients it needs, but don’t restrict yourself to the point of frustration. Every body is different. If you’re looking for something new, give this one a try. And if you don’t stick to it? Chances are you’ll still come away with a few healthier habits in the bag.