When we want to lose weight, we think about doing sports or watching our diet. However, pharmacists point out that another factor plays a major role. And, many miss it completely.
We all know someone who watches what they eat, who cooks at home, who limits ultra-processed products, but who hardly sees anything moving on the scale. In these moments, the first instinct is to eat less or do more sport. However, this is not always the right strategy. Pharmacists regularly see people who are already making a lot of effort, but who forget an essential element. For Jason Murphy, pharmacy manager, weight loss is not just about the plate.
Moreover, he invites us to be wary of certain preconceived ideas about so-called “good for the figure” foods. Smoothies, for example, have this image of a very healthy product. However, they can quickly contain a lot of sugar, even when prepared with fruits and vegetables. In addition, since we drink them instead of chewing them, the feeling of satiety is felt much later. Nuts and avocados follow the same logic. They provide good nutrients, but their calories add up quickly if portions become too generous.
Jason Murphy also warns against very strict diets. By wanting to control everything, many people end up breaking down. “When people impose very strict dietary rules on themselves, they tend to feel like a failure as soon as they break a single rule, and that’s when the cycle of restriction and overeating begins.”he explains. Conversely, he advises adopting habits that are easy to maintain over time. Drinking a glass of water before meals or walking for ten minutes after dinner are reflexes that can end up becoming part of your daily life.
However, the advice that this pharmacist repeats the most does not concern calories or sport. For him, we must first look at sleep: “When it comes to weight loss, most people focus on what they eat, but the quality of your sleep may be just as important, if not more so,” he confides. Indeed, a lack of sleep disrupts the hormones that control hunger and satiety: “When these elements are out of balance, your body sends stronger signals to eat, often leading you to crave high-calorie foods for quick energy.” In other words, the body pushes more towards snacking and high-energy foods, even when we are already paying attention to what we eat.
To summarize, eating well remains essential, as does moving regularly, but that is not always enough. Health professionals now insist on a more global approach, taking into account all daily habits. And sometimes, the difference isn’t in the plate, but in what happens once the lights go out.
