| The human body requires a variety of essential | | | | information. Then there are the low fat foods. |
| nutrients in order to maintain physical health. | | | | These help people feel full longer, and are useful in |
| These nutrients are proteins, fats, minerals, | | | | e any diet plan. However, high consumption of |
| vitamins, and carbohydrates. The body also needs | | | | these foods that generally contain refined |
| water and fatty acids for brain and cell | | | | carbohydrates, can actually cause weight gain |
| construction. Without these essential nutrients, the | | | | rather than weight loss. Often, the low fat 'diets' |
| general health is threatened and weight loss is | | | | fail to recognise the importance of the essential |
| unlikely. Effective weight loss can be achieved by | | | | fatty acides and remove both good and bad fats |
| simply following a normal balanced diet but with | | | | from the food intake. Low carbohydrate diets |
| smaller servings. Low fat varieties of food make | | | | discourage carbohydrate intake and encourage |
| good substitutes for the more fatty foods and | | | | the consumption of lots of protein particularly red |
| are available in an ever increasing variety of | | | | meat. Eating fruits and non-starchy vegetables |
| foods. By using this method for weight loss, long | | | | provides fibre and nutrients. A low-carbohydrate |
| term results are more likely while maintaining good | | | | diet is unsuitable as a long-term diet. The products |
| health. The body gets rid of fat by exercising and, | | | | of fat metabolism and protein metabolism include |
| to do this effectively, it is important that there is | | | | ketones which can be harmful. The problem with |
| enough energy to run the body properly. The | | | | any of these fad diets are that they are normally |
| body has to rely on stored energy sources like | | | | short term and have rigid rules which are |
| carbohydrates and fats so diets that lack fats or | | | | unsustainable in the long term. Many of them are |
| carbohydrates can be very harmful. There are | | | | also inadequate in areas of proper nutrition and |
| also psychological aspects to dieting. There are | | | | therefore dangerous leading to iron deficiency and |
| techniques that affect the desire to eat and | | | | poor bone health. I'm sure you are well aware of |
| therefore affect the appetite. These can come in | | | | the need for a balanced diet to assist in losing |
| the form of medical interventions or natural | | | | weight but did you know that you also need to |
| manners. Appetite can be suppressed by using | | | | look have a healthy mind? Proper nutrients keep |
| stimulants such as ephedrine or L-Phenylalanine | | | | you healthy, alert and active, thereby satisfying |
| both of which send messages of fullness to the | | | | the needs of both body and mind. Regular meals |
| brain. Also, consuming low energy foods that are | | | | and the occasional small treat also keep the diet |
| rich in fibre, such as non-starchy vegetables, can | | | | satisfying and ensures that you are able to |
| achieve the same effect. Exercise is also useful in | | | | maintain these new eating habits. A healthy diet |
| controlling appetite. Okay, let's look at some of | | | | can also reduce your risk of heart disease and |
| the methods available on the diet merry-go-round | | | | diabetes. Above all, don't expect miracles from |
| and see what they involve. Having such | | | | your weight loss program. Be realistic about what |
| information can help you to make informed and | | | | is a sensible weight loss and develop the lifestyle |
| suitable choices for your own health and wellbeing. | | | | changes needed to achieve that. Set realistic goals |
| There are several weight loss organisations who | | | | and reward yourself when you achieve each goal. |
| help people with weight loss. These include groups | | | | Also, set your goals in small chunks. For instance, |
| such as Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss or | | | | don't say you need to lose 50 pounds, say you |
| Jenny Craig and these all have proven track | | | | need to lose 10 pounds and, each time you |
| records. There are also a multitude of similar | | | | achieve that goal, reward yourself and then set |
| programs run by not-for-profit organisations like | | | | yourself another goal. Using these measures to |
| church groups and neighbourhood health clinics. | | | | achieve your weight loss will ensure you reach |
| Most groups employ the power of group | | | | your realistic goals and is the safe and sensible |
| meetings to provide emotional support and useful | | | | approach. |