Over the past month a lot of people have been speaking to me about diets. Asking what I thought of them, tell me what they think etc etc. I guess it might be because it�s getting close to summer.

All this talk has made me really think where I stand on the matter. Do I agree with food restriction in order to achieve calorie reduction (a regular diet) or do I believe that addressing the core reasons why people over eat is the best solution.

I have to say I have been taught that restricting food can lead to overeating; we all want what we can�t have right? But I�ve made a conscious decision to eat healthy, I started this a while back when I was regularly run-down due to the amount of exercise I do each week. I choose my food based on the �goodness� it will supply me, and less about the taste, texture or desire for it.

For example: I might feel like KFC from time to time but instead I�ll have something a little more balanced to supply me with more of the things I need to stay healthy. Or I might feel like a chocolate bar (for sugar) but will have an apple.

Is this food restricting? I want chocolate sometimes but convince myself that filling myself up with empty carbs instead of a healthy option is wrong. I think it is! Simply, the theory is if I allow myself to eat what I want I will naturally steer towards the foods my body needs. But I make a conscious decision to choose the foods I decide I need.

So what do I believe about diets? I think I sit somewhere in between both options. I eat what I need to be as healthy, I can and therefore make the most out of each day without running myself in to the ground. Of course I exercise more then most people � it�s my job, but it works for me.

And that brings me to my point, it works for me. Some diets work for some people, some people exercise so they can eat what they want, some people like to restrict with food because that�s a way of control�. How happy you are, how long it lasts and how well it works is up to you but all things in moderation rings true especially right here.

I've put together a list of my top 10 love to hate diets, it's not about promoting a diet culture more about knowledge, because with knowledge we have power. You can find more about it here.