A Healthy Diet Is About More Than Losing Weight

“Losing weight” is the most advertised catchphrase in all of marketingdom. But a healthy diet isn’t all about weight loss.  What we really should be asking is if we are doing the right thing focusing all our attention on weight loss? The short answer is no. This singular focus on weight loss means that there are nutrition plans out there that really don’t account for the health factor. 

The need of the hour is not just to lose weight, but to keep it off. Weight loss and maintenance is achieved through proper nutrition. If you’re looking for information regarding diet, shreddedfit has resources to help with diet plans and eating right.

The Myth Of Weight Problems

Being healthy and fit does not necessarily mean being skinny.  While losing weight is good, people who are termed mildly obese often live just as long as everyone else. There is a detailed write up about this here.

Eating healthy is a start to getting good habits into your life. So, let’s look at what healthy eating really is.

Proper diet and nutrition

Eating healthy needs our attention now more than ever. The British Nutrition Foundation says that “a healthy diet provides us with the right amount of energy from foods and liquids to maintain energy equilibrium.” Simply put, if you eat less than the requisite amount, you’ll be deficient, and in excess, you’ll gain weight.

When it comes to proper nutrition, it goes way beyond just losing weight. When you follow a proper nutrition plan, weight loss happens because of the limited calorific intake. But at the end of the day, it’s not just about losing or gaining weight – it’s about maintaining your body’s energy equilibrium.

How much food is required for a healthy diet?

We get energy from what we ingest, and we need to be aware of what we put into our bodies so it can function optimally. Experts state  the average woman needs 2,000 calories a day and males, 2500. However, it is a lot more complicated than just calories and counts. You need to pick the right kind of foods to provide your calories.

The right food for a healthy diet

When it comes to picking the correct food a good reference would be the Harvard Healthy Eating Pyramid. This consists of foods that you need to consume, more at the base and less at the top. According to this chart, these are the things that you need to make a part of your regular diet.

Whole grain foods

The majority of your diet should consist of whole grains. There are schools of thought now that teach you that you shouldn’t indulge in wheat or gluten to lose pounds, but eating grains every day can do wonders for your body.

Vegetables

Having veggies be a part of your daily diet can have profoundly positive effects on your health and waistline. Vegetables are sources of fiber, vitamins and several types of nutrients. These help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and occurrence of heart diseases.

Fruits

Naturally low in fat, fruits also are a source of hard to obtain nutrients like potassium, vitamins A and C, folate, and minerals. Some fruits also contain phytochemicals that have been proven to reduce the risk of cardiac problems.

Nuts and legumes

Making nuts, seeds, and legumes as a part of your diet would be great for your health. Nuts are packed to the brim with good fats, proteins, and calories.  Controlling of portions is important for effectiveness.

Fish, Poultry, And Eggs

Lean meat and eggs are a storehouse of proteins, minerals, and nutrients. However, with meat, you need to measure out the right portions because it is easy to indulge and exceed your calorie count for the day.

What we need to take away from this is the fact that weight is something that is controlled through proper diet and healthy habits. Your focus should be on getting healthy through diet and a bit of exercise if possible. What you need to remember is that even though the food you consume might be healthy, you need to follow a proportional diet. Controlling the quantity of food can do wonders for your health and weight as well.

What does a healthy diet mean to you?  How do you maintain your healthy eating habits?