‘That Sugar Film’ posted an image on their Facebook page that serves as a great lesson for us all: “Here’s to making 2016 the year you really understand the power of food and how it impacts you physically, mentally and emotionally. A year of self empowerment!”

So many people try valiantly through January to change their diet and achieve their goals. Many of these people, unfortunately, try using unsuitable or unsustainable methods, which ensures that their good intentions often don’t even last until the end of the month.

There is endless information available on how poor food choices impact on people’s physical and mental health. If you have any health condition, it’s worth looking at the impact of food and how this affects your body.

As an example, you may have a friend who swears by eating a pear at breakfast, another who loves bacon and eggs, and yet another who advocates cereal and skim milk. Obviously their chosen approach suits them, but it may not suit your goals or your body.

Why not give each a try for a week or two and evaluate how your body feels?

• You may have loads of energy or none.
• Your tummy may flatten out or bloat.
• You may be satisfied for the next 3 or 4 hours, or starving within 30 minutes.
• Your skin may clear of acne or eczema or “chicken skin” arms, or there may be no change.
• Headaches may ease or worsen.
• Feelings of hope for the future may improve or decrease.

You’ll never know how your body responds unless you try. As you accept or reject different food choices, you’re gaining knowledge of your body and learning about what suits it best. Some of what you learn will surprise you: things that you thought were normal or suitable may not be the best choices.

If you get suspicious about the effect of a particular food, eliminate it and see what happens. Nobody else can tell you how a food might affect your body, so it really is a process of trial and error.

If you feel that you’re doing everything “right” but not getting the results you want, something needs to change. You may like to try to change by yourself, or you may prefer to have help. Either way, ensure that your goal is to learn what suits your body. Weight loss or improved health will be the result.