Diet and Weight Loss

It is rightly said that we are what we eat! Our weight is a true reflection of our lifestyle, eating habits, and physical health. If you thought weight loss was all about hitting the gym, think again. Diet plays a key role in contributing to weight management, the proper way. The ideal manner to approach a weight loss program is to develop some kind of exercise routine along with the right diet. It may be a good idea to seek assistance of a professional health nutritionist, who can design a diet plan with respect to your lifestyle, activity levels, and daily energy requirements. You may also find free diet charts at your local health clinics or through some reputed websites on the Internet.

Do not resort to crash dieting! Starving or crash dieting actually does more harm than good as it depletes the energy, lowers the body strength, and may even cause damage to the immune system. Similarly, some diet programs suggest minimal or no intake of carbohydrates to encourage faster weight loss. However, this is not advisable. The body has a daily requirement of all nutrients that includes fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Make sure that these are sufficiently provided in your meals.

It is essential that you educate and equip yourself before beginning a weight loss program. You must have a fair understanding of:

• Basic food groups (cereals & pulses, dairy & poultry products, and vegetables & fruits)

• Nutritional facts about foods (benefits of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, etc.)

• Your daily calorie/energy requirements

• Low calorie foods or healthy food groups

A well balanced diet comprising of nutrients, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals is the trick to achieving a healthy weight and fitter body.

Tips for an effective diet plan:

• Avoid binge eating, fast foods, junk foods, and fatty foods.

• Avoid foods high in sugar, salt, and trans fats.

• Replace processed and packaged foods with fresh preparations.

• Snack on vegetables, fruits, or low sugar energy bars to curb your hunger.

• Eat smaller meals and maintain regular meal timings.

You can make a few concessions in your diet plan once you have reached your desired weight. It is however, imperative that you monitor your eating habits regularly so you don’t end up gaining weight yet again!