What are strategies for weight management success?
Successful weight loss requires reducing calorie intake and increasing physical activity so that more calories are burnt on a daily basis than taken in. This should be done through a healthy diet and exercise plan that encourages gradual weight loss and an individual is willing to adopt as a long-term lifestyle change, not a temporary fix that evaporates when previous eating habits are readopted. Other factors that influence weight, such as imbalances in hormone, blood sugar, insulin, thyroid and neurotransmitter levels, should also be evaluated and addressed to aid in successful weight loss.
How do I maintain a balanced diet?
A balanced diet should provide us with all the nutrients the body needs to function while maintaining or improving overall health. It is easy to let our taste buds get the best of us and give into cravings, so keeping unhealthy food out of the house can help us stick to a healthy eating plan. It is also important to know what our healthy caloric intake is and to be able to identify calories on a label, as well as healthy and unhealthy ingredients. In general, the less processed a food is, the more likely it will be on our healthy list. Finally, planning where and what we are going to eat or preparing food at home can help us avoid an ambush from unhealthy foods.
Is a low-calorie diet healthy?
A low-calorie diet can be healthy provided it is nutrient-dense. In fact, the practice of calorie restriction has been studied in humans and has been shown to restore healthy weight, as well as improve metabolic parameters such as insulin sensitivity, blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and markers of inflammation. Animal models provide strong evidence that the practice of calorie restriction with optimal nutrition could also extend life span, reduce cancer incidence and decrease the risk of neurological diseases. It is important to work with a health care provider before embarking on a long-term calorie restriction plan.
