Diet: the very word invokes fear. Well maybe not fear itself, but a fear of what dieting means. A lifetime of foods that you do not enjoy therefore let the suffering begin.
Many diet programs have come and gone. The reason they succeeded for the short term is that of our lust for immediate gratification. We want to lose weight and lose it fast. We fail to realize that it took us a good amount of time and efforts to get us into the new shape. Marketing and packaging techniques are used to convince us that we needed to follow a certain type of plan. In reality, many plans have taken dieting to its most extreme levels. As you well know most of those diet plans have gone by the wayside. The harsh reality is most of the results from the fad Diet Plans is yo-yo dieting. Take off weight. Put on weight.
What is a Balanced Diet?
A balanced diet provides the vitamins and minerals that you require to maintain a healthy body. Recommended Dietary Allowances: Is the recommended intake of nutrients on a daily basis.
What to eat?
To maintain a balanced diet include these foods in your diet every day: meats and meat products, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables, whole-grain products, milk and milk products, and eggs.
Avoid too much fat. But do not eliminate it completely from your diet. Choose low-fat protein, such as lean meats, poultry, and fish. Use recipes that utilize broiling, baking, and boiling. Limit the amount deep-fat fried and heavily breaded foods.
Avoid too much sugar. Know your sugars. Sucrose, glucose, dextrose, maltose, lactose, fructose, syrups and honey are all sugars. Eat fresh fruits or canned fruits in light syrup.
Eat foods with starch and fiber. Select whole-grain bread and cereals.
Avoid too much sodium. Learn how to read labels. Today we have so many seasonings, herbs, and spices available that you will learn to enjoy the taste of foods without all the salt. Take small steps to lower the amount of salt in your diet. Limit salt when preparing foods. Use lower sodium products.
So, you have decided you need a lifestyle makeover. It could be related to the long-term effects associated with neglecting your health. It could be medically related or the natural aging process. Whatever the reason is for your decision, remember to seek information from reliable resources.
Your physician:
Before you partake in any kind of diet or exercise program, talk to your doctor. Schedule a complete physical. Too many times people just decide they are going to start dieting and working out without understanding that even though they feel just fine they may have some restrictions that will inhibit there ability to participate in certain diet and exercise programs. Each of us is an individual, thus each must understand your body and needs.
Talk to a Nutritional Professional:
Dietitians, Nutritionists, and Meal Planning Professionals are educated individuals that will help you find the Program that is right for you. Proper meal planning is an important key to maintaining and achieving your goals.
Talk to an Exercise Professional:
Now that you have followed the above steps, you are ready to start using the guidelines that will help start maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Which foods do I need to stay away from?
Remember, eat a balanced diet every day. Maintaining a balanced diet will require some effort on your part. The biggest challenge is to learn how to measure the foods you are consuming. Once you have mastered this task, there are “NO” foods which you may not consume unless you are under direct orders from your doctor or have allergies to certain food products.
Determining the exact amount of Calories you should consume on a given day, is again dependent on your particular needs. If you’re a sedate you most likely require fewer calories than someone who has a very active lifestyle. Again, you should have a better understanding of your needs after you have consulted with the professionals listed above.
Diet and Weight issues flood us with information on a daily basis. Do your homework and find reliable resources before you embark on a diet and exercise regime.