Nutrition to Take in For Weight Loss (and What to Avoid)
By Space Coast Daily // January 6, 2021
Obesity is one of the health problems millions of people face around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it has been prevalent among 42.4% for the past three years. It opens to more health risks, killing us faster than we know.
Moreover, with the prevalence of the Coronavirus pandemic, being a little less healthier is very dangerous. Weight loss is the best answer to this problem, prompting people to switch to healthier lifestyles.
Here are the essential foods that can help you lose weight and the things you need to avoid in doing so.
What to eat to lose weight
Here are the nutrients that are must-haves on your plate to help you on your weight loss journey.
Proteins
Proteins are substances that do so much help for the body. These are macromolecules bonded together by particular subunits, which are amino acids, in this case. There are many ways that proteins help the body. It works as an antibody, an enzyme, a messenger, structural support for cells, and storage for atoms and some molecules.
How do proteins help with losing weight? The main contribution of proteins to this matter is that they reduce your appetite. Eating food high in protein will make people drop their other cravings, saving them lots of calories that could add to their weight, as proven in a few studies.
Another contribution of protein is that it boosts the body’s metabolism, increasing the number of calories burned. You can get proteins from eating lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts, legumes, dairy products, and eggs.
Moderated Fats
Some people believe that not eating fats will help them lose weight. It’s the other way around. Taking in fats in moderate amounts can contribute to weight loss. It is a micronutrient, which means it is something essential your body must-have.
It mainly provides energy to make us do our daily routine and insulation to keep us warm on chilly days.
What makes dietary fats good at weight loss? Fats are food that takes a lot of time before it is completely digested, but once you’ve eaten it, it gives you a sensation of fullness, making you not want to eat anymore. Low-fat foods do the opposite, making you crave snacks and the like, which could disrupt your eating schedules.
These kinds of foods are no longer encouraged to be eaten since they make people tend to overeat. A diet that mostly contains fats called a Ketogenic Diet, but it’s better to consult your doctor before undergoing the diet plan.
Complex Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are another food people tend to avoid to help them lose weight. But as long as they are consumed responsibly, and if it’s the right kind, then there should be no problem. There is more than one type of carbohydrate.
These are simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are made up of small chains of molecules and are quick to digest, providing energy in only a short amount of time. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates are made up of long chains, which are slower to digest, therefore consistently providing more energy.
What makes complex carbohydrates healthier than simple carbohydrates is that they are found in healthier foods. In comparison, simple carbohydrates are found in less than healthier food options that should be avoided if you do want to lose weight.
Complex carbohydrates are in foods that provide additional vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This plant-based nutrient comes through the body undigested, which cleanses your digestive system and relieves bowel movements.
Eating food rich in complex carbohydrates will help with your digestive system and weight loss since it does not get digested. You can take in complex carbohydrates in food such as whole grains, beans, and some vegetables.
Unfortunately, however, while eating is the best and natural way of acquiring the mentioned nutrition, it might still be hard for some, given the busy schedule or their inaccessibility. That’s when supplements come in handy. A right amount of them, following the doctor’s advice, would supply the necessary nutrients. What’s more, there are multiple discount coupons available online that would ensure your pockets won’t suffer during the weight loss process.
What NOT to do when losing weight
As there are things you must do, there are also its don’ts. Here are the things you must not do while you lose weight.
Overeating
Overeating is a big no in general, especially in weight loss (and even weight gain diets). The problem with overeating is you take more than the amount of calories that your body can burn, and the rest will be taken in as fat.
In other words, if you overeat, not everything you take in your body will be burned, and it will stay for a long time as fat, leading to obesity. Obesity will then be the gateway to complicated illnesses such as diabetes and heart failure.
Starving
Starving is also not what we should do. Eating less, in general, will get you to lose weight, but not eating meant that you will lack nutrients in your body, since some of them do not develop in the body, but rather are from the food we have to eat. You can lose weight as long as you eat the right amount of food and not miss out on your nutrients.
Lack of Exercise
Our daily movements are just as important as our diet. Physical activities help with our body’s metabolism, burning calories from the food we eat. Not much movement will encourage the storage of fat, mostly when you eat a lot. Exercise is something to be practiced, especially among those who do not do many physical activities and have a healthy appetite.
Not only does exercise aid in weight loss, but it also strengthens the muscles. You may start with simple exercise routines, but if you want to go all the way, you could sign up at the nearest gym with a trainer’s help.
Takeaway
People can be intimidated by weight loss given that there are several ways to do so, with some of them being complicated. Just remember that the key to a healthy body is a balanced intake of food and proper exercise. Consistent practice of these two, plus a doctor’s advice, will help you not just get slimmer but also healthier.