The key to weight Management.Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life is vestal for the ohysical and psychological health of an individual. Eating habits and attitudes are usually established early on in life and are most often influenced by the environment. Just switch on the TV or open up a magazine and “healthy” is seen to equate “thin”. The way eat is also influenced by our emotions and “comfort eating” is often a result.The desire to gain weight is less common than the need to lose weight. Nevertheless it can be vary important for some people. Failure to maintain an ideal weight can be due to medical, biochemical or psychological problems where there is ca poor relationship with food resulting in compulsive eating, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and orthopedic.
ARE you UNDERWEIGHT?
As most people are trying to lose weight, the group of people who are trying to gain weight are often ignored, but some reasons for low weight could be a low calorie intake, psychological problems, malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies, poor digestion and increased intestinal permeability. This can lead to a number of health complaints such as nutrient deficiencies, degenerative diseases, low self esteem, anxiety disorder as well as eating disorder.
ARE you OVERWEIGHT?
Obesity and increased weight is becoming a serious problem globally even through there are more medical diets that claim to ‘lose those unwanted pounds forever’ and hi tech gyms with the latest equipments designed to tighten muscles that we never even knew we had. Even through you may do Pilates, yoga, aerobics or weight training, if you are not educated about food and don’t listen to your body, weight will always be an issue.
TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT AND TO AVOID HUNGER.
WATER.
Water is very essential if you are trying to lose weight as it flushes out stored toxins that accumulate over the years in fat cells. Ideally you should be drinking a minimum of one 300ml glass of good quality bottled water every one and a half to two hours. Please avoid ordinary water as it may contain chemicals and xenotoxins that the body is trying to rid itself and these are stored in fat cells increasing body weight over time.
CARBOHYDRATES.
Carbohydrates supply our bodies with the energy it needs to function as it is the main source of blood glucose, which is a major fuel for all the body’s cells Carbohydrates are divided into simple carbohydrates where the sugar is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and complex carbohydrates including fiber and starches where the sugar absorption is at a slower rate. Good sources of carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables, wholegrain-wheat products, peas and beans as they are nutrient dense. Their slower sugar imbalances such as low and high blood sugar are avoided as are stripped of fiber and nutrients.
FATS.
Fats contrary to general opinion are vital to our well-being. There are three types: saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated. The fat that we should be avoiding is saturated fats found un animal products as well as coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Excessive intake of this can increase body fat. Essential fatty acids are a combination of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. As their name suggests they are essential as they must be obtained from the diet. Good sources of essential fates are oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, nuts and seeds.
PROTEINS.
Are vital for essential growth and development and are needed for the manufacture of hormones, antibodies, enzymes and tissues. Amino acids are the “building blocks” of protein and any food that contains all the essential amino acids is called a complete protein. Good sources containing all the essential amino acids are meat, fish, poultry, cheese, eggs and soy beans. It is possible to make a complete protein food for vegetarians by combining partial protein foods such as combining brown rice with beans, nuts, seeds and wheat or beans with corn, nuts, seeds and wheat.
FIBRE.
Fiber acids in the function in the digestive system by retaining water resulting in better bowel movements. A high fiber diet can help lose weight over time. Good sources of fiber include wholegrain brown rice, whole wheat bread, oats, bran, rye, fruits, raw vegetables and legumes
