Getting the proper amount of nutrition in your diet is an essential part of losing weight and keeping it off. However, even if you’re exercising regularly, sleeping well and cutting back on carbs, your weight loss goals can become hard to reach if you don’t manage the amount of sugar that you consume. Sugar is found in almost all foods, but especially in the ones that are unhealthy for us, like candy, cakes, cookies and other baked goods. Find out what foods you should be implementing into your diet to get the proper nutrition your body needs and how sugar can detract from reaching your health goals with this guide!
Sugar and Your Body
Each of us wants to lose a few pounds here and there but oftentimes we find it quite difficult to keep the weight off. Our diet influences whether we achieve our weight loss goals or not, and many times can be the catalyst for change that we are seeking for. However, the foods we eat determine how well this process goes and how we feel about ourselves. One of the biggest contributors to weight gain is sugar, with the average American eating 20 teaspoons of it each day. That’s double the recommended intake portion that the American Heart Association recommends for men (women are encouraged to consume 6 teaspoons or less per day) , and it’s been connected to the obesity epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Sugar is found in most foods, but added sugars are the problem. They’re found in candy, baked goods and soda, and they often go under other names, such as glucose, fructose, corn syrup and molasses. Unfortunately, the more you eat sugar, the more likely you are to develop heart disease, as well. Combine that with obesity and your health can seriously decline over time. Luckily, most people recognize this and are cognizant of how sugar impedes their ability to achieve their weight loss goals. This pushes them to diet and exercise more, which are both good things, but sometimes it is still extremely difficult to lose those extra pounds. By implementing certain diet tips into your weight loss plan, you will find that you’ll lose weight easier and faster but still maintain optimal health.
Diet Tips For Successful Weight Loss
Many people believe if they don’t eat as much, they’ll lose weight. While, in theory, this is true, weight loss is much more complicated than that. For starters, you should cut calories, but not all calories are created equal. Your body digests 100 calories from a cookie different than 100 calories of broccoli, so while you should cut calories, make sure to be cutting those that are found in fattening and carb-heavy foods. Secondly, reducing the amount of carbohydrates you eat will increase weight loss. Carbs turn into glucose in your body, and the body will burn off that glucose before it burns off fat deposits. Therefore, if you eat more carbs, your body will focus more on the glucose than the fat, preventing you from losing weight. Instead of relying on carb-heavy foods like rice, pasta and bread, try eating more lean meats full of protein, such as fish, and low-fat dairy products. Make sure to include plenty of leafy green vegetables, as well. Lastly, control what types of fat you consume. Not all fats are bad, but if you want to lose fat, you have to stop eating as much fat. Foods that contain “healthy” fats include avocados, nuts, fish and tofu, and they help keep you full for longer. Many times, we replace good fatty foods with low-fat substitutes that contain high amounts of sugar (to make up for the lack of taste), which doesn’t help our bodies at all. Limit the amount of fat you consume but make sure that you’re still getting the good fats in to sustain your body.
Lose Weight Faster With A Weight Loss Program
While these tips sound easy enough to implement into your diet, you may need extra help along the way. To ensure that you are meeting your weight loss goals and that you’re taking care of your body correctly, it’s a good idea to participate in a comprehensive weight loss program. These programs create a weight loss plan for you that is realistic and sustainable, plus they provide one-on-one nutritional counseling to give you a better chance at success. You should expect a physical exam, blood tests, weigh-ins, body composition readings and exercise recommendations, and you’ll have a medical professional who will be with you each step of the way. You’ll work one-on-one with the doctor to create personalized weight loss goals, exercise regimens and meal planning. Your coach will also provide healthy lifestyle tips to promote physical, emotional and mental well-being, which all influence weight gain. However, make sure that you are committed before beginning a comprehensive weight loss program. Your success will depend to a large extent on your willingness to cooperate with the doctor’s recommendations while changing certain eating and lifestyle habits. This program doesn’t offer a magic pill for weight loss; it requires that you work hard, eat well and make those changes that will help you create a healthier and happier life for yourself.
Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals With Our Help!
If you’re ready to start a comprehensive weight loss program to meet your weight loss goals, call Balanced Well-Being Healthcare at (970) 631-8286! Dr. Alessi and her staff are committed to your health and have years of experience helping their patients achieve and maintain weight loss. Call today to begin your journey to a healthier life!