Helpful weight loss eating tips

INSIDE

Helpful weight loss eating tips

by Sarah Otte

With all the hype today about wanting to lose weight, wanting to become healthy, and wanting to be in shape, it can get really confusing. There are so many different diet programs available to help people with their weight loss goals or to help with being healthy. As we all know, most of the time what we put into our bodies is a sign of how we look on the outside. So when it comes to choosing the kinds of foods we should eat, they should be nutritious and beneficial to our bodies. The fact is, is that we need carbohydrates, protein, and fat to be a part of our daily diets and not only one or the other like some people think.

For those people who do take part in staying active 3 or more times a week, it is necessary for them to eat the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates are used for energy and weight loss, protein is used for endurance and immunity, and protein is used for muscle strength according to MSN’s health and fitness.

There are two kinds of carbohydrates, simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are found in foods like sugar and milk and complex carbohydrates are found in foods like whole wheat bread or pasta and vegetables. Complex carbohydrates are the better choice out of the two since most complex carbohydrates are low in fat and calories. Another great thing about complex carbohydrates is that it contains fiber, which causes weight loss since it makes the person feel full faster. A little more than half a person’s total daily calories should come from carbohydrates.

Fats have always had a bad rep. “I never have felt good about eating fats,” Amy Lassiter, student at Northwest said, “it just sounds like it is bad for you”. The latest research shows that fat can increase endurance and boost a person’s immune system according to MSN health and fitness. Healthy fats can come from oils such as olive oil or canola oil, nuts, and fish. For people who work out, they need some fat in their diet and a low fat diet is not recommended. 25% of a person’s calorie intake in day should consist of fat. Try to avoid fats from butter, shortening, and fried foods.

Everyone has heard of the high protein diets, but this isn’t the healthiest thing to choose. Protein does help build muscle, but too much can be harmful. MSN health and fitness says that too much protein can strain your kidneys as they get it out of the body and excess protein may interfere with calcium absorption not allowing the body to receive the amount of calcium it needs. The recommended amount of protein for a person’s diet is .7 g per pound of body weight in a day.

Losing weight is a difficult task and it does take time and patience. By eating the right kinds of food and working out on a regular basis, the weight will come off. So, what do you say…eat carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and don’t deprive yourself of one.

References:

(July 2005). The best power foods for walkers. Retrieved July 12, 2005 from http://www.msn.com

(July 2005). Collins, Karen. Clear up confusion about low-carb, low-fat regimens. Retrieved July 12,2005 from http://www.msn.com