There’s nothing I hate more in this world than dieting. Most people dread the idea of “dieting,” I mean, there’s all these fad diets roaming around, I’ve heard of many diets from the “low fat” diet to the “no carb” diet, and even the Atkins diet. Many of these diets, in some way or another are out to get your money, and to throw you of course from the simplest way of living. YES, I’ve said it. It’s true.
There’s a massive industry out there that wants to make you think that there is some magic potion, pill or way to lose the weight you’ve been seeking to lose. Well, I’m no doctor, and although I have taken nutrition classes, I’m not a nutritionist (yet,) and I am quite certain that it’s pretty simple to lose weight, without jumping on the dieting band wagon.
Most people use the word as though it’s something to dread, and something that you “have to do,” in order to lose weight. Frankly, the most common use of the word diet is in verb form. Yes, it can be a verb, because we commonly use it as such, but to change the way you think of the word diet, let’s examine the word as a noun. Thinking of the word diet as a noun can help you not dread the idea so much, and can even empower you to make wiser decisions about what you put into your body.
Diet simply means the foods and beverages that you put into your body. Yep, that’s it. Stop thinking of the word in a verb, as in some sort of action that you MUST do, and start thinking of it in terms of just a thing. Yeah, it’s just that simple. I remember when I went through introduction to nutrition and that was the first thing I learned. It totally rocked my world. Such a simple definition, and it changed the way I thought about food and the whole dieting nonsense.
When you hear about eating a well balanced diet, it simply means to eat a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Yes, there are healthy carbohydrates and fats, and there are also bad ones. Lets briefly analyze proteins, carbs and fats and what they do in your body.
Carbohydrates: good carbohydrates are found in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy, and are used first in providing the body with the fuel it needs to function. Bad carbohydrates are found in processed foods such as candy, chips, white breads, and other non fresh sources of food. These are meant to be snacks and treats, but sometimes people end up eating them and get full on them. Something that has worked for me is to limit snacks to twice a month. This way, you don’t deprive yourself of your sweet tooth. Even just cutting back to once a week will do wonders for the waist line. It is even best to only have one serving based off the nutritional facts on the back of the product that is being consumed, if you are in the habit of eating snacks more than once a week.
Proteins: Proteins can come in many forms and are in legumes and animal meats. The leanest sources of proteins are in legumes of course, in poultry, and most fishes. It is best to take heed of recommended daily intake for protein because this tends to be the department that many people consume in large quantities. Proteins are necessary as they provide the body with amino acids, which are necessary in cellular reproduction.
Fats: There are many types of fats, but it is important to be able to identify which fats are good and which ones are bad. Good fats are important because they are essential in many biological processes that occur in the body. The site I’ve linked to is a good source to figure out which are bad and which are good, so head on over there. What works for me is to combine olive oil and avocados into my diet. It doesn’t take a whole lot to get the required daily amount, but it’s important to cut out processed foods as many of them contain trans fats, which will wreck any chance you have at losing weight.
Pretty simple, but these things can be a bit intimidating. Where to start? Well, the best rule of thumb: Fresh is Best! Think about all the fruits and veggies you love. Write them down, because this is going to become your shopping list. Also note any allergies that anyone has in your family. Next think about all the fruits and veggies you see in the grocery store–there are a variety of colors. The best way to generally get a variety of nutrients that your body needs to subsist, is to try the rainbow of colors. From yellow to blue/purple and everything in between.
Also, remember to add whole grains into your diet (remember the first ingredient on the list of 
ingredients should be whole grain, and nothing else, otherwise it’s not truly whole grain.) You’ll find that you’ll have more energy from whole grains and can dump the white bread and other processed foods. If you can’t get fresh, get frozen, and lastly is canned, but try to go with fresh, because it actually tends to be the cheapest and you can choose how much you want to buy.
As for proteins, it can get a bit complicated, but here is a guide that is sure to help you along your way. I just ran into this site today, and it’s pretty neat. I hope you get some use out of it.
It’s not really publicized much, but many diseases and illnesses can actually be prevented by just altering your diet (you know, the foods and beverages you put into your body,) to include fresh sources, and eliminate, or at least reduce processed foods.
Also, don’t let me forget to mention water. Water is what makes everything I’ve just told you work. If you can cut out sodas, and those sugary juices that aren’t 100% juice, and anything else that isn’t water, you can end up trimming out with very little effort. In fact, the less water you drink, the more your body retains it. If you drink more water, the body will release it’s stores, and you will start to see a big difference in the way your clothes fit.
I hope these tips come in handy!
To your health!
~Hale Mom
Disclaimer: The information, is just that information, and should not be used to diagnose or treat any disease, illness or symptoms one may be experiencing. This information should also not replace advise from a doctor, registered dietitian, or nutritionist.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Preach it, sister! Great post.