A Real Diet That Works

Fad diets are everywhere, and this country is suffering because of it. The very word "diet" is problematic. Have you ever noticed that the first three letters of that word spell DIE! Sure, most diets will not kill you, but many of the fad diets out there won't actually cause you to lose weight and may actually be counterproductive.

You need to break the endless cycle of dieting and instead create a lifestyle around putting healthy things into your body. Such a lifestyle involves the following principles.

1. Instead of just looking at food as a source of pleasure, look at it as a source of fuel and health. Most of us only consider how we feel during the ten minutes or so that we spend actually eating the food. What we usually don't consider is how we feel for the next three hours after eating the food.

Processed sugars taste great and give you a nice little high immediately after eating them, but a half an hour later you crash and just want to lie down. On the other hand whole wheat noodles may not taste amazing while you are eating them, but when you go for a walk an hour later you will be filled up with energy.

2. Eat a balanced amount of "good carbs," "good fats," and "good proteins." Instead of demonizing particular types of nutrients, focus on quality. Contrary to popular belief, carbohydrates are not to be avoided at all costs. In fact, eating "good carbs" is crucial to giving your body the energy that it needs to operate. You will not get fat if you eat a healthy amount of whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, if you eat a lot of processed sugars, you will gain weight.

Likewise, not all fats are bad. Mono and polyunsaturated fats are very good for you. Olive oil and peanuts are excellent sources of these "good fats." On the other hand, saturated and trans fats should be avoided as much as possible.

3. Give your body the nutrients that it needs. Two nutrients that most people miss out on are omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Eat fish and use supplements to get your omega-3's. To get an adequate amount of fiber (most women need at least 25 grams per day), you should eat at least five servings of vegetables per day.

4. Eat frequently and keep portion sizes small. Eating three square meals a day may be popular, but it is not good for your weight. Instead of eating three large meals every day, you should eat five to seven small meals. This will make it much easier to keep portion sizes small since you will not be "starving" and load up your plate with food.

5. Things besides what you eat affect your weight. Emotional stress, dehydration and not getting enough sleep all contribute directly and indirectly to gaining weight. You cannot maintain a healthy weight if you do not generally take care of yourself.