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