Weight Loss is All About Nutrition

Most people will agree that there is more weight loss and fitness information today but there is also more and more people that are getting even more confused about proper nutrition. Each diet contradicts with one another. I know it can get very confusing.

I am not a nutritionist and I do NOT claim to know everything. However, I spent over 8 years of my life studying how the body functions. These are just the general guidelines that I use for myself.

I can never stress it enough how crucial proper eating is. It is one of my biggest reasons why I was able to lose weight and keep it off. Without proper eating, you are wasting your time at the gym. All the cardiovascular in the world is not going to help, without good nutrition choices.

Here are my eating tips and I’ll try to keep it simple and easy to follow. If you want to lose weight and gain lean muscle, you will want you’re eating to consist of high protein and high fiber food. You will understand why after reading this article.

We know that dieting is a lost cause and counting calories, is too complicated and time consuming. You see, diets often look at food with a negative association.They look at talking food away, both in your choices and in amount, in order to reduce your calories to help you lose weight.

I look at food a bit differently. By choosing the right foods and eating them the right way, you can actually make food a powerful fat-burning ally in your war on stubborn body fat.

Changes Have To Be Made:

Make no mistake I had to make some changes in my lifestyle and I am going to be asking you to make some changes also!

We’ve all developed some nasty habits along the way, I include myself here, that have to be dealt with in order to see the kind of results we are capable of.

You have the body you see in the mirror right now because of your current diet, and you have to look at the mirror and say…

“I’m FAT because of the way I EAT” Hard words to say, but they’re the TRUTH!

Basic Nutrition Understanding:

Now you don’t need to be a microbiologist to succeed, But you do need to have a basic understanding of the major nutrients that you’ll get from your foods so that you can speak intelligently about what you’re doing because people will ask you what you’ve been up to that made you look so great.

The food you consume can be broken down into 3-main categories of nutrients:
1. Protein
2. Carbohydrates
3. Fats

Each of these nutrients performs a separate and very important role in the body.

Protein – Protein is essential to repair and growth in muscles. It is composed of amino acids, tiny building blocks in the human body. Amino acids are critical to your health. Protein is also a natural appetite suppressant. The majority of people get protein from foods such as egg whites, chicken, turkey, lean beef, fish, low-fat or non-fat dairy products, and soy.

Carbohydrates – Provide energy to the body. They also help protect muscle, fuel the brain, and assist in digestion. Carbohydrates are critical in the utilization of fat as an energy source. Most of your carbohydrates should come from complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Fats – Is used as an energy source during long periods of consistent low-heart-rate exercise. Fat is also beneficial for nerve conduction, healthy skin and hair, and hormone regulation. Fats from plants, such as canola, avocado, safflower and almond, tend to be better for your health.

As you can see by the function of these three, you need them ALL, working together to be in your best physical shape and well-being. You can not leave one of them out, like some Fad diets state.

Protein / Carbohydrates / Fats – need to be part of your daily intake!

The ultimate ratio for blood sugar stabilization and the release of body fat is: 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 30%
fats.

Vitamins – Are essential to life. They assist the body in regulating metabolic process and assisting the body in releasing energy from food. The majority of foods lack sufficient vitamins due to over-farming of depleted land.

Minerals – Are needed for maintenance of blood, muscles, nerve conduction and much more. Minerals come from the earth and if the earth lacks minerals then the food lacks minerals as well.

Weight Loss has to do with eating the right foods at the right times. You cab succeed with your weight loss goals if you stick to this basic principle.

Author: Juan Montalvo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com