Ten Dieting Facts You Need to Know
Ten Dieting Facts You Need to Know
While I don’t believe in dieting, because I frankly think they don’t work, many of us are wired to diet. My point of view is that if that mindset helps you get started on the road to long term healthier eating, have at it!
Arming yourself with information is a great way to begin a new diet/way of living in harmony with your mind, body and good, healthy food. Here are ten “dieting facts” to start you off:
1. Skipping meals is not beneficial – Although many individuals think otherwise, skipping meals is not a good idea. You want to eat in a manner that keeps your blood sugar level. Skipping meals will not only cause your blood sugar to drop, but you’ll be hungrier later and will be tempted to eat more. This will tend to make you less selective about what you eat which won’t help you with your dieting goals.
2. Soup fills you up and keeps you fuller longer – Soup can very important and very helpful when you are looking to lose weight. Soup can be healthy, but it also fills your stomach. Eating soup is an excellent addition to any diet. Be careful not to load it up with noodles or pasta, otherwise it defeats the caloric intake purposes. If you’re eating prepared soup, check for ingredients like MSG, high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils, just to name a few ingredients to avoid. You’ll be amazed what prepared foods contain!
3. A diet high in fiber keeps you satisfied longer – Research shows that a diet high in fiber keeps you full for longer periods of time. Fiber is a wonderful addition to your diet and your health if you are not used to incorporating it into your daily routine. Go get some celery which is high in fiber and actually burns calories to digest it.
4. Dieting without exercise may cause weight gain to return – Many individuals feel that if they diet for a short period of time, say six to eight weeks, they will lose the weight and keep it off. This may work for a little while, but if you do not incorporate exercise into a diet with changed eating habits, that weight is likely to come right back. Health is a holistic, life long endeavor.
5. Breakfast fuels your body – Skipping breakfast is a sure-fire way to eat more calories later in the day. Eating a balanced breakfast of protein and complex carbohydrates fuels your body and helps keep you going throughout the day. Skipping breakfast is a guarantee that you’ll be reaching for as many carbs as you can before lunch to keep you from crashing.
6. Water hydrates you and aids in dieting – Drinking plenty of water hydrates your body and keeps you alert and energetic. If you’re dieting, your body will invariably go through many changes. Keeping your body hydrated allows you to stay focused on your goals.
7. Eat carbs – Carbohydrates are necessary at some point as they give you energy. Choose carbohydrates that are complex and high in fiber rather than simple carbs like muffins (one of my former favorites…), regular pasta or white bread.
8. Too much of anything…not so much – Too much of anything is not good in any area of life. If you eat a diet that only consists of protein, for example, you’ll be depriving your body of essential vitamins and nutrients it needs to function properly.
9. Eating late at night is generally not a good idea – Pay attention to what you eat throughout the day, and you’ll be less inclined to need a late night snack. If you must, have a handful of nuts or a bit of fruit, and just a little well-chewed to take the edge off your hunger.
10. You have to continue to maintain a healthy diet – In order for weight to stay off; you have to continue doing what you did to lose it in the first place. In the end, aim for a change in life style rather than a short-term diet, and those changes will serve you well!
Make Major Improvements in Your Life!
Cheryl A Major