Precisely what is a well-balanced diet?
We all hear mention of it constantly – a balanced diet is very important in sustaining a healthy weight and for your overall health and well-being. But unfortunately, not everybody is aware of what precisely a balanced diet means and how it is achieved.
Actually, it means different things to different people – not least because everyone is completely different. Eg, vegetarians, vegans and those afflicted with food allergies, sensitivities or intolerances will all have assorted dietary needs. With that being said, the general meaning of a balanced diet is simply one that comprises of a good measure of food from the numerous food groups, accompanied by ample pure water. Moderation and variety are a necessity!
Alas, in this modern age (with escalating time and financial constraints), more and more people are turning to “fast foods” / “junk foods”, ready-meals, frozen foods and highly refined and processed foods.
Despite the fact that they are plainly time-savers, these types of foods tend to be very high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and chemical products (such as food additives and preservatives). Not only do they fail to supply our bodies with the vitamins and minerals that they require, they actually contribute to toxin build-up, which might (for example) potentially bring on digestive problems, poor immune system, weight gain and all of the problems that come with it (such as higher chance of health problems, like heart related illnesses, diabetes, hypertension etc).
Yet another wide-spread occurrence is that individuals will regularly skip meals in an attempt to shed pounds – that is certainly counter-productive. Not only is this solution hazardous (and has the potential to cause harm to your organs), it can actually restrict weight loss and even lead to weight gain! Even though this appears illogical, once you think it over, it makes sense.
How not eating meals can bring about weight gain
It is important to stimulate your metabolism with the correct foods at specific times of the day. Not eating meals (specially breakfast) may cause weight gain in various ways.
- When you don’t eat for a prolonged length of time, your body could go into “starvation mode” and your metabolism then slows down to preserve energy. It means that your body will compensate for the insufficient calories by consuming a fewer amount of calories than it otherwise would. When your body goes into starvation mode, it doesn’t draw from its fat stores for energy, making it more difficult to shed excess weight.
- It has a tendency to result in extreme hunger later in the day, which can sometimes then lead to cravings, binging and weight gain.
- It gives you an irregular distribution of calories throughout the day.
- It means you may be depriving your body of the energy it requires to properly function, exercise, burn calories etc.
- It triggers low blood sugar levels and delays insulin response, which can lead to diabetes.
- It’s a short lived strategy and will not take care of your long-term weight issues.
Skipping meals is therefore obviously not answer to healthy weight loss. The optimal means of dropping pounds and keeping off is following a sensible weight management plan, i.e. making improved eating choices, regularly exercising, drinking pure water and keeping your metabolism active. Metabolism plays a critical role in how quickly you burn fat and shed weight; for that reason, it cannot be forgotten about as part of your master plan for weight management.
Why is a balanced diet imperative?
It’s important to note, exercising on it’s own will not lead you to be healthy. As they say, “you are what you eat”. A well-balanced diet is beneficial as it provides access to the broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, salts and other nutrients required by your body. Therefore, a balanced diet is widely thought to be among the critical factors in securing a healthier and longer life and, in particular, maintaining a healthy weight.
Finding out how to keep up a balanced diet is important for long-term weight management and health. Dieticians can assist with this, if needed. As an alternative, get started with a good quality free meal plan, which can offer you some direction during the early periods of your lifestyle change. Eating fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, lean meats, seafood, whole grains and nuts is a popular starting point. This will help to make sure that your body gets the micronutrients it needs and demands.
Why may you want to take health supplements?
As somebody hoping to manage your weight, you might choose to take health supplements for many reasons. For example:
1. As a result of depleted soil, long-distance importation, lengthy shelf-life, pasteurisation, cooking methods (such as microwaving) and chemicals in our food, it is regularly short on nutrients, notably digestive enzymes. One example is, the level of vitamin C in vegetables can reduce by half within 5 minutes of being cut and by up to seventy per cent after just twenty minutes. Similarly, cooking food destroys approximately half of the protein content and somewhere around 60% of vitamins and renders about 60% of the minerals non-absorbable. Superfood powders or multivitamins, for example, may help you to top-up on nutrients easily and conveniently, day-to-day.
2.Reduced food choice can often make it harder to ensure you are receiving the full spectrum of nutrients that your body requires. Lots of slimmers therefore decide to supplement their diets with nutrients-fortified meal replacement powders and protein powders. A good quality meal replacement drink or protein powder will be sugar, dairy, lactose, wheat and gluten free. They will also be low in calories.
3.All those suffering with long-standing digestive system health problems will usually notice that it’s tougher for them to lose weight. Digestive system problems are a prevalent side-effect of being over-weight, most probably due to poor diet over a number of years. Many slimmers therefore find that they benefit from, for example, colon cleansers and cleanse and detox supplements as part of their wider weight management programme. Others use probiotics and digestive system supplements to support their inner health and help to restore balanced levels of gut flora.
4.Often, slimmers find that they require just a little extra support in the early phases of weight loss. Weight management support supplements can be beneficial. By way of example, a herbal fat metaboliser / herbal fat burner formula (that contains no ephedra, gluten, wheat, lactose, added sugar, artificial colourings or yeast), may help you to optimise the outcomes you accomplish from your weight management programme and training.
Specialist Supplements has a number of weight management products, which could help you to achieve your health goals in combination with a balanced diet and sensible exercise programme. Click on any of the links above to check them out now!
*Before changing your diet, undertaking a new exercise programme or taking health supplements, always be sure to consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).