The Healthy Way To Lose Weight
By Brandon H. Masters
Eating convenience foods daily isn’t healthy and this is a fact, which we are all conscious of. We recognize that low carbohydrate diets and diets containing dairy products which are rich in fat and meats covered in fat aren’t the route to a slimmer body. Its time to face facts and wise up that the only way forward is to choose correctly and instigate a wise eating strategy if we intend to lose weight.
We usually lack the motivation to change our food habits but a little basic common sense stretches a long way. In these modern times there has been a substantial increase in the number of women in full time employment. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in the use of convenience foods. It is no longer the norm for families to eat meals made from basic ingredients each day.
Planning your meals in advance can stop whimsical buying of unwholesome foods when shopping. Writing a shopping list with choices that are low in calories and fat and well balanced. Make sure you add whole grains, legumes, whole-wheat pasta, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and chicken, brown rice, healthy nuts to snack on, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. Fiber has been publicized as supporting weight loss (it absorbs calories and removes them from body); ensure you include plenty of high fiber foods.
A chief issue in this is to know how much a portion size is. The American Diabetes Association recommends that: -
• A 1-cup portion of milk, fresh vegetables or yogurt is approximately the size of a baseball.
• 1 portion of cooked pasta or rice is one third of a cup
• A thumb size piece of cheese is approximately an ounce.
• 1 portion of fish, poultry or meat is3 ounces and can be compared to the size of a deck of cards.
• 1 portion of dry cereal is three-quarters of a cup.
A recent study at New York University by U.S. Department of Agriculture considered these serving sizes were slightly over estimated.
The only way to lose weight, say the scientists, is to decrease the number of calories you eat daily. To make yourself conscious of how much you eat and when: -
• Keep notes of everything, which you eat in a journal.
• Learn the calorific value of the foods you eat by investing in a calorie counter.
The above method will help you decide where and when you can adjust your diet with small changes that are likely to have major effect. Rather than reaching for that sugary soda at lunch, why not choose a healthy alternative such as an herbal or lemon tea. When using a salad dressing reach for the low fat alternative and use less of it.
About the Author: Brandon H. Masters is a health enthusiast, researcher and veteran of the Natural Products industry. He is devoted to educating others on the benefits of weight management.
High Fiber Foods
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