The newer (and healthier) trend in diets is a more related approach to lifestyle and less drastic. It is often said that to lose weight, you just need to reduce your calorie intake and play sports. Sophie Deram, a neuroscience researcher of eating behavior, refutes this claim. “In this way we have simplified the functioning of the human body which is not a machine – he explains – For him, food is information, not calories”.
This is precisely the principle that studies the science of nutrigenomica, or how foods communicate with our genes. Agricultural engineer, Franco-Brazilian dietician-nutritionist, Sophie Deram holds a doctorate from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, in the department of endocrinology. He studied nutrition in France, the United States and Brazil, where he now lives. Expert in eating behavior and weight loss, she focuses her research on childhood obesity, nutrigenomics, eating disorders and neuroscience of eating behavior.
“When we go on a diet the body starts to get stressed – analyzes Sophie Deram in her blog – The brain defends itself by triggering big changes that last for over a year: increases appetite, lowers metabolism. The result is that we never lose weight ».
In his most recent book Forget the diets they make you fat. The secrets of lasting weight loss (Forget diets: they make you fat. The secrets of lasting weight loss – ed. Marabout) Sophie Deram reveals which diet to follow to lose weight permanently. According to the researcher, any dietary restrictions, with the aim of losing weight, are not only doomed to fail, but are detrimental to the body and balance.
“The restrictive diets (fasting, a drastic reduction in calories or even the exclusion of an entire food group) do not work and probably those who have tried them have already verified it – he explains – There is no miracle, but there is an alternative ».
Sophie Deram is based on studies of nutrition, human metabolism, nutrigenomics and neuroscience of human behavior.
“Fortunately, research in this area is advancing and today we know that 95% of people who follow restrictive diets regain weight, sometimes gaining even more weight than they did at the beginning – he continues – It is increasingly clear that our weight is not only influenced by calories that we eat and burn during physical activity, but it also involves the metabolic, behavioral, social context, emotional problems, family history, genetic factors, the environment and over a million factors ». The researcher therefore presents a new approach to nutrition based on nutrigenomics.
«Previously it was thought that our DNA was a fixed and determined material for life – he explains – But these fixed genes express themselves in different ways in our metabolism throughout life. Food is the main environmental factor that modulates this expression. The quality of the diet can activate or deactivate some genes and put the metabolism at risk or not, because a change in lifestyle can reverse some changes in the body ».
But how does nutrigenomics help to understand the man-diet relationship? “This science is clearly proving that no one is alike and that we cannot even know exactly what an individual needs to achieve maximum health – replies Sophie Deram – Nutrition is not an exact science and the common practice of imposing strict rules on patients is creating unnecessary stress and terrorism. We have to return to common sense that there are no good, bad or miraculous foods. A healthy diet must be varied, balanced, enjoyable ».
In his book he explains how diet and calorie counting are actually the main culprits of weight gain, that in order to truly enjoy life and achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, one should not even resort to dieting. It is possible to lose weight without suffering, without eliminating favorite foods or entire food groups. You shouldn’t have protein-only diets or other root systems either. There are seven rules at the basis of Sophie Deram’s approach to achieve a correct and lasting weight, without dieting and eating with pleasure and awareness.
1. Make peace with your body.
2. Take care of your brain.
3. Be patient by approaching this program gradually.
4.Respect hunger and satiety.
5. Eat better, not less.
6. Fill up on other sources of energy.
7. Cook and make meals a feast.
The book also contains meal planning tips and over 50 easy-to-prepare recipes. Sophie Deram has also developed a program online in six modules corresponding to six weeks. “The first week is dedicated to transforming one’s beliefs – he explains – We are continually bombarded with new information and advice on eating and nutritional habits. In this step, we will pause to reflect and be able to make peace with food. This is where the transformation begins. The second is dedicated to transforming the concept of food. In addition to learning more, you learn about nutrigenomics, the science that shows how important it is to pay attention to the quality of what you eat. In the third, the attitude of one’s brain is transformed, which controls everything, including weight. It turns out why it’s important not to stress the brain with dietary restrictions, factors that affect weight, different types of hunger, and the basics of neuroscience. In the fourth, the kitchen is transformed with three tips: do not make too restrictive diets, eat real food and cook, which brings many advantages. This is proven by scientific studies. Just take a look at my tips to make your life easier and learn how to cook every day, without having to be a star chef. In the fifth the behavior is transformed. When it comes to eating better, your eating behavior is as important as what you eat. You discover elements of sociology and neuroscience that will help reflect and enhance transformation. Finally in the sixth week one’s life is transformed. They discover themselves my seven secrets for consolidating the transformation. These are the keys to transforming your life allowing you to make peace with your body, your diet and thus reach a healthy weight by rediscovering the pleasure of eating ».