simply dieting

What Does Eating Healthy Really Mean?

It is true.

Obesity is becoming a global epidemic.

People now-a-days are becoming more and more health conscious than they were before. While considering health management the prime topic of focus is always ‘the eating habits.’

Doctors, nutritionist and anyone you seek advice from will tell you that, ‘you must eat healthy’.

But what does eating healthy really mean? And why is it so important for weight loss?

Basically, eating healthy includes the following-

1. Eating the right thing.
2. Eating the right thing in the right quantity
3. Eating the right thing at the right time.

Let’s see each one of those in detail.

EATING THE RIGHT THING

Our body is an amazingly designed biological machine. It requires inputs of some organic and inorganic fuel for it to function smoothly and ultimately help us to carry out our motto of living efficiently.

The following are our body’s requirements which can be fulfilled only through food:

• ENERGY- The body derives energy in the form of carbohydrates, glucose and from some fats. The foods that provide us with this are- Wheat, rice, breads, sugars, fats. This energy is converted into ATP-Adenosine tri-phosphate and utilized by our body.
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• MAINTENANCE - Just as our vehicle requires maintenance, so does our body. This maintenance is carried out by synthesis of proteins and amino acids that are derived from- pulses, poultry, eggs, milk, etc. Proteins look after the wear and tear of the cells of our body. The worn out cells and tissues are replaced by newer ones. Thus the entire cellular system is well maintained.
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• FUNCTIONING - Our body requires some nutrients in trace amounts for efficient functioning of the life processes. These nutrients are- vitamins and minerals and are obtained from fruits, raw vegetables, etc. Although required in trace amounts, a deficiency of any of these vital nutrients leads to impaired functioning of a particular system of the body. E.g. lack of vitamin C leads to scurvy or lack of Iron can cause low hemoglobin/anemia.
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• HYDRATION - Our body cannot function in a complete dry state. Hydration is very important and it can be done alone by drinking adequate amount of water.

Eating the right thing means including all of the above nutrients in the diet. A proper intake of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats and water on a daily basis should be done.

EATING THE RIGHT THING IN THE RIGHT QUANTITY

We must know that our body requires the varied nutrients in different quantities. It is more true when you are on a fat loss journey. Carbohydrates are required in the highest amount, followed by proteins, moderate quantity of water, low amount of fats and very small amounts of vitamins and minerals.

The quantity should be as it is required. If fats are taken in excess, then it leads to obesity.

If carbohydrates are taken in lower amounts, then we will be energy deficient. Minerals in excess will cause deposition and lead to disorders and even absence of vitamins will lead to vitamin disorders.

Hence the quantity in which the food is taken in very important.

EATING THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME

It is very important to follow a specific eating time.

When we eat meals on time, our body’s capacity to digest the food and release the enzymes become improve and we benefit a lot from it. It does not allow weight gain. Breakfast should never be missed and can be the heaviest meal of the three meals.

Dinner if planned to be skipped then it should be replaced by some light meal like soup or salad. One must not stay hungry for long durations.

Also heavy meals like - cereals, pulses, fish, poultry, meat products, fatty foods should preferably be taken at breakfast or at lunch and the dinner meal should always remain light.

Once in a week you are allowed to please your taste buds and eat the meal you want, may be a pizza, burger, pastry, fried food etc. but make sure that you limit it to once in fifteen days or once in a week.

If you adore sweets, may be it be a chocolate, a piece of cake, or even a fruit make sure that you eat them at the time when you are very hungry or few minutes before your meals, because the body’s sugar combusting power is maximum at that time.

On the other hand, never eat any sweets after meals as at that time your body will convert the sweet into fats immediately.