Being overweight can increase your risk for developing a variety of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and arthritis. As a result, losing extra pounds can improve your health in a number of ways, and a healthy diet is key to this process. A diet of chicken, fruits and vegetables can be healthy, but it needs to be done properly to promote weight loss while still getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals.
Weight Loss Basics
Although fad diets exist which proclaim that you can lose weight by only eating certain foods, healthy and sustainable weight loss can only be achieved by consuming fewer calories than you burn each day. Consequently, to lose weight you need to count calories to make sure that you are not eating too much, as well as increase your physical activity, which can involve an exercise program or simply being more active in your day-to-day life.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken is a good source of lean protein, and can help you feel full for longer periods of time while supplying the amino acids needed for your body to work properly. Chicken does contain some saturated fat and cholesterol, but it can be part of a healthy diet plan. Most fruits and vegetables can also help you lose weight because they are low in calories and provide many important nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Considerations
Although it is possible to lose weight by following a diet which consists only of chicken, vegetables and fruits, simply eating these foods alone does not guarantee weight loss. Some methods of food preparation, such as frying, can add large amounts of fat to yur diet, which can counteract the beneficial effects of these foods. Portion control is still essential; regardless of what you eat, eating too much can make it difficult to lose weight.
Malnutrition
If you're restricting yourself to chicken, vegetables and fruits, maintaining the right balance in your diet is essential; you must eat a wide variety of starchy vegetables, green vegetables and fruits to make sure that you get all of the vitamins and minerals that you need. Of particular concern are calcium and vitamin D, which commonly are provided from dairy products. If you are following a restrictive diet that excludes dairy, take a multivitamin to ward off any vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Keep in mind that this diet plan does not include any grains. Whole grains are important, not only for the carbohydrates and nutrients they provide, but also for their fiber content. If you're eliminating grains from your diet, make sure you get enough fiber from other sources, particularly if you are having problems with constipation.
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