While love handles are a particularly common problem area for men, women can also be affected by them at times. Excess fat buildup on the sides of the waist is what is commonly known as love handles. The best way to get rid of love handles is by eating properly and getting daily exercise. Eating healthy will help to shed those unwanted pounds in a relatively short period of time; results can usually be seen within approximately four weeks.
USDA Recommended Diet
Every five years, the United States Department of Agriculture releases their Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is a comprehensive report about what you should be eating in order to maintain a healthy weight. Following this diet will most certainly help women lose those love handles because it focuses on nutritionally-dense foods and low-caloric intake.
The USDA diet encourages approximately two cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables everyday based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Additionally, you should eat three or more ounce-equivalent whole grain foods per day, such as cereals, breads and rice. Finally, low-fat or low-calorie dairy products are encouraged.
This diet is a plant-based diet, and it allows for limited consumption of lean meats and fish. Salt, alcohol and fat intake should also be restricted. Anything containing trans-fats or that is high in sugar should be avoided.
Vegetarian Diet
A vegetarian diet is an effective choice for those looking to lose weight, including women looking to get rid of those love handles. It is so effective because vegetarians consume fewer calories than individuals who eat high-calorie meats. In general, women require fewer calories per day than men, so this is an ideal diet choice for women.
The basics behind vegetarianism include consuming the following foods in order of quantity per day: six servings of whole grains; five servings of legumes/eggs/meat substitutes/dairy; four servings of vegetables; two servings of fruits and two servings of fats.
Vegetarians are encouraged to eat more servings per day in order to reach energy needs. In addition, vegetarians need to be sure that they are getting an adequate amount of vitamin D from milk or sun exposure, vitamin B12 from eggs or fortified cereals/milk, calcium and n-3 fats from nuts. They should also limit consumption of alcohol and sweets.
DASH Diet
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or simply DASH, diet is designed as a healthy eating plan for those looking to lower their blood pressure. It is also an effective diet for women looking to lose weight and shed those unwanted love handles. The DASH diet is endorsed by several government entities, including the American Heart Association, USDA and a branch of the National Institutes of Health.
The DASH diet uses a high-fiber, low-calorie approach to dieting. The recommended daily food intake in order of the most total servings includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean meats, nuts/seeds/legumes and fats/sweets. The DASH diet recommends that women consume approximately 1,200 calories per day in order to lose weight at the recommended maximum weight loss rate of two pounds per week. At this rate, you can kiss your love handles goodbye within a few short weeks.
Member Comments