Studies show that most of us gain up to 5 kg’s during the “comfort food months.” Yikes! So, if you’re looking to shed a few kilos before the first buds appear, this one is for you.
There’s never been a shortage of diet, health and weight loss advice, right? Everything under the sun has been called a weight loss cure at some time.
So, low carb and high fat, or low fat Mediterranean, or Paleo … which one is for you? Do you choose to eat plant based or animal products? Which one works and what are the health risks? Successful weight loss is a slippery slope for most of us and contradicting information is coming from everywhere, all the time.
First things first though, who should you trust for diet advice? There’s no doubt that consulting with a registered dietician is the way to go when attempting to make a big change to your lifestyle. Registered dieticians and nutritionists may not have the hook that sells a product or an angle that makes the news, but they are trained to understand how food affects the body. There is no one-size-fits-all diet and these professionals are skilled at working closely with an individual to develop personal eating plans which will help you to lose weight while keeping you healthy. Their education ensures substantial familiarity on nutrition, putting them ahead of most doctors. So, yeah, good idea.
Ever wondered how wild animals distinguish between edible and inedible food? There’s no leader in a white coat showing them the way on how to fuel their bodies. Thing is, nature doesn’t complicate things. It’s the world of commerce and man’s pursuit of “keeping up with the Joneses” that complicate things. Simple as that.
Isn’t it time to get back to basics? The key to successful weight loss is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that suits your individual needs and that you can maintain for life. A good diet should be sustainable with plenty of choices and relatively few restrictions. It should be as good for your heart, brain, bones and colon as it is for your waistline.
Look for a plan with these features:
- A healthy diet includes a variety of foods from all the major food groups – and even the occasional indulgence. A diet plan should also include foods that you can easily find in your grocery store.
- Balance: A weight-loss plan should include proper amounts of nutrients and calories for your individual needs. Diets that direct you to eat large quantities of certain foods may result in nutritional problems.
- Enjoyability. A diet should also include foods that you like. If it is overly restrictive or boring, you’re probably not going to stick to it.
- Physical activity. Exercise is the most important factor in maintaining weight-loss.
Always be skeptical of who you take diet advice from and don’t be fooled by fad diets trying to sway you to follow a new trend.
The focus should be fuelling and nourishing your body to optimum health instead of depriving it. As you aim to become a healthier, happier and fitter person, weight loss should follow naturally.
Source: www.muscleandfitness.com, www.health.harvard.edu, www.mayoclinic.com, www.webmd.com, www.cbsnews.com, authoritynutrition.com, www.summertomato.com, www.huffingtonpost.co.uk, nutritionraw.com, www.womanshealthmag.com, www.healthline.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
