According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control in 2008, about one-third of American adults are obese. Obesity increases your risk for several health problems, including heart attack, stroke, certain types of cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes. Simple lifestyle changes, including changes to your diet, can have you well on your way to a healthier, more fit body.
Avoid Fad Diets
A few moments in front of the magazine rack at your local grocery store reveals a myriad of fad diets that promise you will shed pounds in no time at all. Fad diets catch on because they do sometimes work for a short period of time, but they can have negative effects. According to the Mayo Clinic website, you should avoid any diet that requires that you to cut out entire food groups or types of food or requires you to eat only one thing or a few things. Also avoid diets that promise dramatic weight loss. Healthy, balanced diets promote slow, sustainable weight loss.
Embrace Leafy Greens
Include leafy greens in your healthy weight-loss diet. Leafy greens are nutrient-dense and low in calories, and you can eat as much spinach, kale, lettuce and cabbage as you want. It is easy to incorporate leafy green vegetables into your diet. Add fresh spinach to your lasagna or prepare a salad with a light vinaigrette dressing for lunch.
Snack on Fruit
According to the website HelpGuide, fruits are high in water and fiber content, making them an excellent choice for a quick and filling snack between meals. The natural sugar in fruit also can help curb sudden sugar cravings.
Opt for Complex Carbohydrates
Diets like the Atkins Revolution and the South Beach Diet have given carbohydrates a bad reputation with dieters, but it doesn't have to be like this. The trick is choosing complex carbohydrates over simple carbohydrates. For example, choose brown rice and whole-grain bread rather than white rice and white bread. Complex carbohydrates can also contribute to your weight loss by giving you more energy to exercise. They break down in the body more slowly than simple carbohydrates, providing long-lasting energy and fueling the metabolism for longer.
Drink Water
Drinking water can encourage the loss of water weight and diminish bloating. It also can replace the calories in soda or juice.
Eat Breakfast
According to the Mayo Clinic site, eating breakfast is one of the most important elements of a sound weight-loss plan. Eating a healthy breakfast makes you less likely to overeat throughout the day and gives your body the fuel to properly metabolize food for the rest of the day. People who eat breakfast tend to make healthier eating choices as the day goes on.
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