Weight loss is not just an individual problem, but it is a major public issue. Two-thirds of Americans are classified as overweight or obese. There has been a lot of research on the importance of being conscious of how much you eat. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to keep a food diary - an honest one.
We may think that we know what we eat, but actually we do not. Keeping a diary forces us to look and notice. People who keep records of what they eat daily actually doubled their weight loss. Not only that we would see how much we are eating, we can also see what food to eat and to avoid.
Writing down every bite make us conscious of the food we are eating. The once regular breakfast consisting of bagel with an egg and cheese containing 630 calories will now be replaced by a cup of high fiber cereal, milk and 4 oz of orange juice. One good tip is to weigh ourselves daily so that we became aware of how much we are taking in.
It is also important to plan ahead if you know that you are going to a party or other event where fattening food will be around. Bring your own food or eat something healthy beforehand to keep you from being hungry and vulnerable when you arrive at that party or event. Also pay attention to the amount of food you are eating especially the portion sizes. As a guide, one portion of meat (about three ounces) is roughly the size of a pack of cards.
Obesity is a major public health problem in the US. Increases in obesity which is prevalent during the last four decades has been dramatic in all age and social groups, increasing the concerns about the health risks for children, adolescents and adults. Currently, over half of US adults are overweight and the upward trends show no sign of slowing. A continuing of the current trend seems quite likely to lead to substantial increases in the number of people affected by obesity related health problems and premature mortality.
When it comes to keeping your weight down or weight loss, a new study by Harvard researchers suggests that the quality of the food matters more than its calorie count. We know that eating burgers and French fries and drinking soda leads to more weight gain than eating fresh fruits, vegetables and brown rice.
The study found that the worst offenders were potato chips which led to more weight gain per serving than any other food. The best for your waistline is surprisingly yogurt. The study also shows that people benefit more by focusing on eating the right food than eating less food. The quality of the diet - the types of food and beverages that one consumes - is strongly linked to weight gain or weight loss.
The data also showed that eating specific high quality foods were linked with less weight gain over time. In fact, the more daily servings that people ate of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and yogurt, the less weight they gained.
This study has a clear and consistent message: if you want to gain weight, eat junk foods and drink sodas. If you want to maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy foods - vegetables, meat, dairy, grains and fruits. And do not drink too much alcohol.
There are recommended resources about weight loss programs for your further reading. More information can be found in this site
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Franco_C_Lurenana
No comments:
Post a Comment