Pip Reed, nutritionist and co-founder of TheHealthClinic.com.au, has been working with Brides for years – and she’s seen and heard it all.

“I must say that Brides are some of my best clients,” explains Pip. “They come in with specific goals, a very specific date, and they don’t wait around for things to happen – they make them happen!”

But sometimes the quest for the bridal glow and booty can backfire – thanks to diet mistakes, extreme food restrictions and over exercise. “Brides can sometimes go too far in their quest for looking perfect on their Big Day,” warns Pip. So how do you get that healthy glow and body the healthy way? Here, Pip explains the five diet mistakes Brides make and the safer options…

MISTAKE #1: Extreme Dieting

Extreme dieting is going to impact your mind and your mood as you deprive yourself of vital nutrients and energy sources in a bid to lose weight quickly. An example that I see regularly is Brides, and often women in general, eliminating whole food groups, such as carbs or fats, which will leave you feeling tired, cranky and irritable – and it will make it harder for you to exercise.

Extreme dieting can also lead to unhealthy food obsessions, which has the potential to cause an eating disorder such as orthorexia nervosa, a condition where sufferers are so fixated on eating only foods they deem as healthy, they become unhealthy as a result of missing out on essential nutrients and can become malnourished.

Remember ladies, planning a wedding is stressful. If you are going to deprive yourself of nutrients, fats and energy sources, that stress is only going to soar.

Instead, Do This

Make sure you base your diet around a healthy whole food nutrition plan, preferably prescribed by your trusted health practitioner. This is paramount as they will guide you on what to eat, when to eat and will tailor the plan towards your needs and goals.

MISTAKE #2: Juice Detox

Juice Detoxes cut out whole food groups, often leaving you feeling deprived, lacking energy, irritable and often starving. They are high in sugar and low in much needed fibre that keeps your blood sugars stable, feeds your good gut bacteria and assists digestion, as well as keeping you full and stopping you from over-eating. Any weight loss achieved through a juice cleanse is most likely to be fluid, not fat.

If you do decide to do a juice cleanse, be aware that once the detox is over it may lead to overeating and/or binging, or an eating disorder such as anorexia, where severe restriction of food intake occurs and can result in life threatening health concerns.

Instead, Do This

Try a smoothie detox as it blends foods together keeping all the fibre, plus you can add a whole range of macro and micro-nutrients and turn it into a delicious filling meal.

MISTAKE #3: Not Seeking Professional advice

Australians love to self diagnose or follow the latest celebrity endorsed diet, but if you decide to embark on a diet, supplement and/or exercise regime that isn’t suited to your body and your needs, it may mean that you don’t achieve optimal results, or even any results.

Eating the wrong way for your body can slow down and inhibit you from reaching your goals. Health problems may be missed, such as food intolerances or hormone issues that may contribute to weight gain, stress, bad skin and/or stagnant weight loss.

When it comes to exercising, if you are practicing movements that are foreign to you or two extreme, you may injure yourself.

Instead, Do This

Set a goal and make a date with your trusted health practitioner immediately to discuss the logistics of reaching that goal, so you are on track from the start.

MISTAKE #4: Over Exercising

As well as potentially causing injury, over exercising can stress the body and lead to stagnant weight loss or even weight gain. It can also deplete energy and brain function due to being overly fatigued.

Instead, Do This

Embark on an exercise regime suited to you and the stage you are at.

If you are just starting out, walking and a quick 15-minute program (such as my NEAT plan) may be enough 4 times a week to build stamina and burn fat.

If you are fit, discuss your desired body changes with a professional and embark on a training program. Remember that just because you made the decision to get fit in your head doesn’t mean that you body is ready to go hard immediately. Your body needs time to catch up to this thought, so start gently and frequently for long-term results.

MISTAKE #5: Skipping Meals

Skipping meals causes your blood sugar levels to drop, leading to irritability, fatigue, hunger and potential weight gain as your body goes into stress-mode. It can also lead to a binge at your next meal or boredom snacking, and it can start to impact sleep from the stress it puts on your body, causing that 3am wake up.

Furthermore, you miss out on vital nutrients and minerals required to function and perform properly.

Instead, Do This

Have snacks on hand, such as tamari almonds or Brazil nuts and dates or a protein shake. That way if you find yourself stuck in a meeting/at work/in the car/without access to a supermarket, you have a healthy option on hand that is satisfying, without breaking the health kick.

ABOUT PIP REED Pip Reed is a qualified, certified and registered nutritionist, personal trainer and Yoga-Fit instructor, with over ten years experience in the health and fitness industry. Pip specialises in women’s health, weight loss, hormones, endometriosis and healthy aging. Her fresh insights into achieving beauty both inside and out using nutrition as the basis of health and wellbeing are always realistic and designed to work with people’s lives. Her advice is always relevant and do-able. Pip is also the Director and Co-Founder of online nutrition clinic, TheHealthClinic.com.au