With so many fad diets and weight-loss supplements on the market today, weight loss can be an extremely confusing and frustrating topic. If you would like to lose weight, it is important to do so safely. Dietary experts recommend the lowering of your caloric or fat intake as a healthy means of promoting desired weight loss.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is simply the number of calories you take in each day compared to the number of calories you burn each day. If you take in more calories than you burn, the excess calories are stored in your body as fat. Calories provide energy for everything from breathing to basic organ functioning to jogging and exercising. Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you take in. If you burn more calories than you take in, your body draws from the calories already stored in your body as fat to give you energy.
Low-calorie Diet
A low-calorie diet typically consists of between 900 and 1,300 calories a day. These calories should include carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Carbohydrates and proteins contain 4 calories per gram and fats contain 9 calories per gram. Excellent nutrient-rich but low-calorie foods include fresh fruits and vegetables. It is important for any diet to contain foods from all the food groups, however. If you cut approximately 500 calories a day from your regular diet, you can lose a healthy and safe 1 lb. a week.
Low-fat Diet
A low-fat diet restricts the amount and type of fat you eat. There are unhealthy fats such as trans fats and saturated fats, as well as healthy fats in the form of unsaturated fats and omega-3 fats. Lowering your fat intake can also help to decrease the amount of fat that is stored in your body. Small portions of fish and poultry are preferable over fatty red meat. Eggs, fruits, vegetables and cereals are also excellent low-fat food choices.
Similarities
Low-fat diets and low-calorie diets are similar. Typically, cutting calories also involves reducing fat intake and minimizing fat intake lowers your calorie count. The goal of both diets is to decrease the amount of fat stored in your body. In addition to eating a healthy well balanced diet, regular exercise is important for weight loss. Consult your physician to determine if either diet is right for you.
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