Common Reasons for Drastic Diet Changes
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Food is an indispensable part of our lives. We use it to acknowledge milestones and to celebrate. It nourishes us and brings us together. Since food is such a part of life, it can be a bit daunting to undergo drastic dietary changes whether they are voluntary or a necessity.

There are a plethora of reasons that affect an individual's dietary choices. Some of the most common ones include:

1. Weight Loss:

The word diet has seemingly become synonymous with "weight loss". Losing weight may be the top reason people choose to change how they eat. Cutting carbs, counting calories, cutting sugar, keto, paleo, and Atkins are all methods that people employ for dietary weight management.

Dietary weight management is often done with food restrictions and ensuring there will be a caloric deficit so the body will burn fat instead of storing it.

2. Intolerance:

Intolerance to certain foods impacts the dietary choices of those who suffer from it. Many people have a food intolerance of some kind which can cause them to alter their diets. Intolerance and allergy are not synonymous.

Having a food intolerance means that the body does not process certain foods well. It can create unpleasant symptoms such as:

  • Headaches

  • Diarrhea

  • Gas, bloating, and/or cramping

  • Stomach pain

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Heartburn

There are tests that can help sufferers to find the offending foods so they may avoid them.

3. Food Allergies:

Allergies to foods such as shellfish, nuts, or eggs can be life-threatening or fatal. Those who are aware of allergies often do all they can to avoid contact with those foods. They may also carry an EpiPen for safety in case of a reaction.

Food packaging is helpful in listing possible allergens to keep those with severe food allergies safe. In some cases, contact with a person who ate the food in question may be enough to cause a reaction, as well.

4. Religious Rules:

Religions around the world come with dietary rules and restrictions. Those who are born into them or convert later may feel compelled to follow the diets that their respective religions advise them to.

Some examples of religious dietary rules include:

  • No alcohol

  • No caffeine

  • No pork

  • No shellfish

  • No meat

There are many variations of these rules. If someone dedicates their life to their religion, diet is an area that will change.

5. Ethical Reasons:

Ethics can be an important factor in the diet someone chooses. People want to have a positive impact on the planet with their diets when possible. Some ethical dietary changes include:

  • Avoiding meat

  • Eating locally-sourced foods

  • Eating fair-trade foods

  • Growing food instead of buying

6. Disease:

Struggling with a disease impacts diet. People with Type 2 diabetes must watch sugar and carbohydrates. People with anorexia may discontinue eating at all. People with bulimia binge and restrict food.

There are numerous diseases that directly affect how and what people eat. This change may be gradual or sudden.

When it comes to diet, there are many variables that come together and make up a person's experiences. Food is something humanity shares, yet it's extremely individual.