12/10/2026
MONDAY MYTH #07 — EATING HEALTHY MEANS EATING LESS.
❌ MYTH BUSTED.
How many times have you tried to lose weight by cutting back on food?
Smaller portions. Fewer carbs. Skipping meals. Salad instead of a proper meal.
Initially, it feels like you’re doing everything right. But then hunger kicks in, energy dips, training feels harder, and by the evening you’re searching the cupboards for something to eat.
Sound familiar?
EATING HEALTHILY AND EATING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS.
Your body still needs energy and nutrients to function, recover, move and train. The aim isn’t to see how little you can eat. It’s to find the right balance for your goals.
🥩 PROTEIN helps maintain muscle and supports recovery.
🥦 FIBRE supports digestion and can help you feel fuller for longer.
🥔 CARBOHYDRATES fuel everyday life and training. You don’t need to eliminate them to lose body fat.
🥑 HEALTHY FATS provide essential fatty acids and help your body absorb certain vitamins.
🍽️ PORTIONS MATTER — nutritious foods still contain calories, so the overall amount you eat matters too.
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU CUT BACK?
Fat loss generally requires a calorie deficit, but bigger isn’t automatically better.
At Adaptive Nutrition, our practical starting point is around 10% below maintenance calories, generally aiming to keep the deficit at no more than 500 calories per day.
For example, if your estimated maintenance is 2,500 calories, a 10% deficit would mean a target of around 2,250 calories per day.
That’s a starting point, not a rigid rule. Your needs, progress, hunger, health and training should all inform the approach.
The goal is to lose body fat while preserving muscle, supporting performance and building habits you can maintain.
YOU DON’T NEED TO BE HUNGRY ALL DAY TO MAKE PROGRESS.
Build balanced meals. Eat enough protein. Include foods you enjoy. Track your progress and adjust when needed.
EAT SMARTER. NOT JUST LESS.
That’s Adaptive Nutrition.
Adapt, don’t restrict.