Dieting and Weight Loss
The subject of dieting and weight loss has over the years grabbed the interest of many. The weight loss industry drops more than 70 billion dollars on supplements, weight loss, and fat-shedding measures, with people claiming they are on diets and yet millions of people complain of weight problems. This shows clearly that losing weight is not a small task; yet very possible, especially when done right. To ensure success in one’s weight loss journey, consider the following:
- Find out what you want to achieve and what process works for you. You need to know exactly what your goals are- how much weight you need to lose to be healthy, and which parts of your body need to shed off fat. These goals should be very achievable and realistic because there are going to be changes in your lifestyle and habits once you begin your journey.
- Take your time- understand that this is a gradual process that requires time, consistency, and patience. You would not see effective results hours, days, or even weeks into the journey.
Best Diet for Weight Loss
A healthy diet inculcates natural, unprocessed, and mostly plant-sourced foods. It contains all the necessary nutrients needed by the body in a balanced proportion. It has a minimal amount of sugar and salt and incorporates healthy fats, including fish, and plant-derived oils. However, no diet is considered the healthiest or the best even though there are styles of eating that nutrition and diet professionals have recommended being healthy methods when consumed by different people across the globe. Most of these styles are very similar, in that, they have some things in common; they are plant-based, have no simple sugars, contain healthy fats, they are natural and unprocessed, and have low sodium content.
Types of diets you can incorporate in your dieting and weight loss journey
Mediterranean style diet
This diet derived its name from the foods located in several cultures around the Mediterranean Sea. There is a huge emphasis on the reduction of processing foods such as nuts, whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits. There is a considerable amount of poultry, fish, cheese, and yogurt, and olive oil is the cooking fat. Foods containing sugar like red meat are only eaten in small amounts. This style is also known to pose a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancer, and depression.
Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet
This is primarily a diet to ensure a healthy heart. The foods consumed help to reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart failure. It is quite similar to the Mediterranean-style diet.
Nordic diet
This eating habit/ method is derived from Scandinavian eating patterns. The Nordic diet is heavy on fish, whole grains, oats, pears, and cold-climate vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and carrots. Research has proven its potency in weight loss and the prevention of stroke.
Intermittent fasting
This is an eating schedule that only allows one to eat at a specific time. Fasting for a couple of hours a day or consuming an amount of food away is a great way to burn fat.
