For the average person, losing weight and keeping it off is a continuous battle. To shed those unwanted pounds, they might try any number of fad diets or crash diets that promise to help them lose weight quickly. But is there a way to attain healthy and happy weight loss without all the extremes?
The answer may be an old one, but it’s worth repeating. The healthier the diet, the slower the weight loss. So if you’re really serious about losing weight, a sustainable, long-term strategy might be the key to finally hitting the reset button on your weight loss journey.
In order to find out, you need to consider how the body works as a whole. What makes it unique is its continuous circle of energy. Whenever you eat something, whether it’s a meal or snack, that food is immediately broken down into glucose (sugar) and then used by the body for energy.
As you may know, glucose is a form of sugar that your body can process quickly and efficiently. This means that your body has a ready supply of energy whenever you need it. Additionally, the food you eat isn’t just used for energy, it also helps to form new cells and keep your body healthy. So you’re not just losing weight, you’re preserving your body’s natural functions as much as you can.
The Concept Of Health
You may be familiar with the expression ‘all calories are not created equal’. While this may be true, it doesn’t mean that all calories from the same food source are healthy. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. Many foods that are high in calories, such as refined carbohydrates (like sugar) can still cause serious health problems. So while it’s true that healthier food choices provide your body with more energy, it doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to feel better just because you chose to eat something healthy.
Calories Are Key
When people talk about weight loss, they usually focus on the calories they consume. As a general rule of thumb, the less calories you consume, the less the pounds will weigh. This is because calorie consumption determines weight gain. If you want to lose weight, you have to cut back on your calorie intake or you’ll just keep getting fatter.
The Benefits Of Proteins
You’re more than just weight, you’re also muscle. And the more muscle you have, the stronger you’ll be able to fight infections and illness. So it’s vital that you eat enough proteins to maintain healthy muscle. Your body doesn’t produce proteins itself, so they must be acquired from food sources. This is why, as previously mentioned, proteins are important to keep in mind when planning your diet. There are some excellent vegan protein sources out there, like soybeans and lentils that you could incorporate more vegetables and whole grains into your diet. This will help you to keep your muscles healthy and strong while also reducing your waistline.
Healthy Fats Are Needed
The American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and many other reputable health organizations all strongly endorse the consumption of plant fats as a healthy choice. When you consume fats, they’re not just used for energy like carbohydrates, they also help your body to formulate new cells and remain at a healthy weight. Vegetable fats provide your body with more nutrients and antioxidants, which act as small fighters in your body.
What About Dairy?
Dairy is another important food group to include in your diet, especially if you think that it might be causing your overweight. Just because your mother told you that dairy is good for you doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily healthy for everyone. Dairy can still cause problems for some people, especially those with a genetic predisposition to heart disease. That being said, it’s not necessarily bad for everyone. Just be sure to eat dairy foods in moderation and know the health benefits and disadvantages of this food group.
What About Fruit?
Fruit is certainly a good choice if you’re looking for a healthier option, but it’s also important to recognize that fruit consumption isn’t always as innocent as it seems. The fructose content in fruit can still cause problems for some people. This is because your body processes fructose differently than it does other sugars. When you eat fruit, the fructose immediately enters your bloodstream and then travels to your liver, where it’s rapidly broken down and turned into fat. This process is called fructose metabolism and it’s something to be cautious about.
On the other hand, apples contain a substance called polyphenols, which act as small fighters in your body. Your body doesn’t process these compounds in the same way as other foods because they have a natural defense against bacteria and viruses. So by eating fruit, you’re not only providing your body with nutrients, you’re also giving it some of the most effective natural antibiotics available.
Reducing Your Waistline
There is a simple way to lose weight and keep it off. Instead of focusing on the number on the scale, focus on your waistline. When you eat healthy foods and exercise regularly, you will reduce your waistline, which means you’ll be able to fit into smaller clothing.
As you can see, there are many factors that affect your weight. For most people, it’s a question of calories and watching what they eat. If you want to lose weight, you have to cut back on your calorie intake or you’ll just keep getting fatter. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to deprive yourself of the foods that you love, it means that you have to be smarter about what you’re eating. Consider what I’ve discussed here and see if it makes sense in your own life. If it does, great! You’re one step closer to losing weight and feeling better. If it doesn’t make sense to you, that’s ok too. It’s always worth asking questions and considering all the options, but at least you know where you stand now.