Many diets promoted by companies and individuals rely on calorie restriction or the complete elimination of certain food groups in the quest to lose weight.
Many diets fail to address the underlying cause of insulin imbalance in the body, which is caused in part by poor nutrition (i.e. indulgence in sugar and refined carbohydrates) and in part by stress, lack of exercise and the aging process.
When the person on such a regime feels deprived and then stops the diet, he or she will often revert to the same eating pattern as before and feel that he/she has no will power, cannot 'stick it out' and is therefore a failure. Once the person has given up, the vicious cycle continues; often the individual will put on more weight than they have lost.
The unhealthy use of appetite suppressants, artificial sweeteners and drugs contribute to an unhealthy body and these substances have limited effects when the person is trying desperately to lose the fat. Any diet should have the objective of restoring and maintaining total health. How is this achieved?
Quality of Carbohydrates in Regulating Weight
Resolve to avoid forever bad carbohydrates. That means refined sugar (look at all labels to see if this substance is added), refined carbohydrates in the form of white flour, white pasta, white rice and anything cooked or baked with these items.
Cut out cakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits, sweets, chocolates, ice-cream, puddings, milkshakes, bread made from refined flour and sugar, any white flour products and packet soups and sauces. Replace with whole grains e.g. rolled oats, brown rice, millet, barley and raw nuts and seeds e.g. any raw nuts especially almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame, linseeds and pumpkin seeds.
Replace sugar with a little raw honey or healthy sugar alternatives, such as Stevia and Xylitol. Stick to plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables - organic if possible - and stay away from anything processed, canned or frozen.
Change the Quality of Fats for Enhanced Health
Resolve to avoid all hydrogenated fats, take care to scrutinize labels and avoid products that list hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil as an ingredient. Many random compounds created when oils are hydrogenated are called trans-fats or trans-fatty acids which are dangerous to health.
Avoid low fat spreads, margarines, pastries, french fries, doughnuts, cookies/biscuits, shortening, crackers, potato chips and anything deep fried in vegetable oil. Replace with a little butter, olive oil, sesame oil or linseed oil (all must be cold-pressed).
Change the Quality of Protein for Better Health
Once again, avoid anything processed or canned. Many processed meats contain harmful nitrates. Replace with organic or free range eggs, chicken, turkey, fresh fish (especially salmon, tuna and sardines) and a little free range red meat such as lamb.
A balanced diet is the solution, not only for weight loss but for overall good health. Balanced eating means restricting refined and processed foods and eliminating the consumption of artificial fats.
More Articles on Diet and Health:
The Dangers of Sugar - Why Refined Sugar is Bad for Health
Diet Myths and What Choices Really Work
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