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Weight Management

Weight Management

Eating a balanced diet Everyone knows that a balanced diet is extremely important in the maintenance of a healthy weight and for your overall health and well-being. Nonetheless, not every person fully appreciates precisely what a balanced diet means and how it is achieved. Truth be told, it means different things to different people - not least because every person differs. E.g.: vegetarians and vegans and individuals dealing with food allergies, sensitivities or intolerances will all have varying nutritional requirements. Nevertheless, the overarching meaning of a balanced diet is basically one that is comprised of a suitable proportion of foods from the various food groups, along with loads of pure water. Moderation and variety are fundamental!

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Unfortunately, in this modern age (with ever-increasing time and financial constraints), more and more people are turning to “fast foods” / “junk foods”, ready- meals, frozen foods and highly refined and processed foods. Notwithstanding that they are clearly time-savers, these kinds of food items tend to be extremely high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, salt, saturated fats  and chemical compounds (such as food additives and preservatives). Not only do they fail to supply our bodies with the minerals and vitamins that they require, they actually promote toxin build-up, which in turn can (for example) potentially be a catalyst for digestive problems, weak immune system, weight gain and all of the issues which come with it (like higher chance of diseases, like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension etc). Another common occurrence is that people will oftentimes skip meals in an attempt to drop the weight - this is definitely a counter-productive weight management technique. Not only is this strategy harmful (and has the potential to damage your internal organs), it could actually put a stop to weight loss and even induce weight gain! How skipping meals can cause weight gain It's very important to fuel your metabolism with the ideal foods at the right times of the day. Missing meals (particularly breakfast) can bring about weight gain in various ways. • In cases where you do not eat for a protracted period of time, your body might go into “starvation mode” and your metabolism then slows down to preserve energy. In other words, your body will compensate for the inadequate calories by burning off less calories than it otherwise would. When your body enters into starvation mode, it doesn't draw from its fat stores for energy, making it tougher to lose weight. • It is likely to lead to intense hunger later in the day, which might then lead to cravings, binging and weight gain. • It gives you an unequal distribution of calories during the course of the day. • It means you will be depriving your system of the energy it must have to efficiently function, exercise, burn calories etc. • It results in low blood sugar levels and delays insulin response, which can lead to diabetes. • It’s a temporary strategy and won’t take care of your long-term weight issues. Leaving out meals is therefore plainly not the solution to healthy weight loss. The most efficient means of shedding pounds and keeping it off is implementing an informed weight management plan, i.e. making improved eating choices, training, drinking pure water and keeping your metabolism active. Metabolism plays a fundamental role in how fast you burn fat and shed weight; therefore, it can't be forgotten about as part of your scheme for weight management. Exactly why is a balanced diet key? It's important to note that physical activity on it's own will not lead you to be healthy. As they say, “you are what you eat”. A balanced diet is therefore required because it provides your body with access to the broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, salts and other nutrients needed by your body. As a result, a balanced diet is commonly thought to be one of many crucial elements in securing a healthier and longer life and, in particular, maintaining a healthy weight. Learning how to eat a balanced diet is important for long-term weight management and overall health. Nutritionists can help with this, as appropriate. Alternatively, begin with a good quality free meal plan, which can provide you with some guidance during the early stages of your lifestyle change. Eating fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, lean meats, seafood, whole grains and nuts is an excellent starting point. This will help to ensure that your body gets the micronutrients it requires and demands everyday. How could health supplements help? As an individual hoping to live a healthier lifestyle and manage your weight, you may choose to take health supplements for a number of reasons. For instance: • As a result of depleted soil, long-distance importation, lengthy shelf-life, pasteurisation, cooking methods (such as microwaving) and chemical compounds in our food, it is often lacking in nutrients, including digestive enzymes. For instance, the level of vitamin C in vegetables can reduce by half within 5 minutes of being cut and by up to 70% after just 20 minutes. Furthermore, heating food destroys roughly half of the protein content and approximately 60% of vitamins and renders about 60% of the minerals non-absorbable. Organic superfood powders and organic superfood multivitamins, for instance, can help you to top-up on nutrients easily and conveniently on a daily basis. • Limited food choice can frequently make it more difficult to make sure you are getting the full spectrum of nutrients that your body demands. Many slimmers therefore supplement their diets with nutrients-fortified meal replacements and protein powders. A quality meal replacement drink or protein powder will be sugar, dairy, lactose, wheat and gluten free. They will also be naturally low in fat and calories. • Individuals affected by long-standing digestive system health issues will in most cases find that it is harder for them to lose weight. Digestive system issues are a common side-effect of being over-weight, most likely due to poor diet over a number of years. Many slimmers therefore find that they benefit from, for instance, colon cleansers and cleanse and detox supplements as part of their wider weight management programme. Others use probiotics and digestive system supplements to support their inner health and to help to re-establish healthy levels of gut flora. • Oftentimes, slimmers find that they require a bit of extra support during the early phases of weight loss. Weight management support supplements can be of assistance. One example is, a herbal fat metaboliser / herbal fat burner formula (that contains no ephedra, gluten, wheat, lactose, added sugar, artificial colourings or yeast). *Before changing your diet, undertaking a new exercise programme or taking health supplements, always be sure to consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).