A 1,500-calorie diet will result in weight loss for most people, especially if it is balanced and complete with all the proper nutritional ingredients needed to maintain a level metabolism, reports nutritionist Lori Pirog for the Women and Weight website. Meal options that contain foods low in calories must be chosen carefully.
Prevention/Solution
According to the National Institutes of Health, 66 percent of adults in the Untied States are overweight. By counting calories and instituting a low-fat diet that is easy to maintain, patients can lower blood pressure, control cholesterol and maintain proper blood sugar levels. The best weight-control diets include lowering caloric intake and exercising regularly. One of the easiest ways to stick to a restricted calorie diet is to substitute water for high-calorie sugary drinks like soda pop and juice.
Function
Cutting calories is the only way to lose weight, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. All foods, including carbohydrates, proteins and fats, contain calories. Balancing caloric intake with calories used up by exercise will result in weight loss. A 1,500 calories easy diet contains foods that provide the most nutrition for the least amount of calories.
Benefits
Low-density foods have fewer calories, report Mayo Clinic doctors. Foods with high water content are more filling while providing fewer calories. Many fruits and vegetables contain high water content and are best used to make a 1,500-calorie diet easy to maintain. For example, a half of a grapefruit has only 38 calories and is 90 percent water. A cup of carrots will add a mere 52 calories to a day's calorie count and are about 88 percent water. Foods high in water also provide the added benefit of keeping organs and joints hydrated.
Effects
A 1,500-caolrie diet high in fiber can help dieters feel full longer. High fiber foods tend to be lower in calories as well. Fiber-rich foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread and muffins and high-fiber cereal can help to fill out a low calorie menu. Mayo Clinic doctors report that high-fiber foods also take longer to digest and have the effect of keeping the body regular when eating a restricted calorie diet.
Considerations
Food high in fat is usually high in calories too, report doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians. In addition to adding calories, trans fats and saturated fats increase LDL cholesterol levels, which can lead to other complications such as arteriosclerosis and heart disease. A 1,500-calorie diet should include no more than 20 grams of saturated fat and be free of any trans fats.
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