Articles: Weight Loss

What is a Diet?
Most people, when they hear the word diet, associate its meaning with restricting foods in order to lose weight. However, the answer to the question, "What is a Diet?" the actual definition is that it is a prescribed selection of foods. More specifically, it is the systematic approach to eating and drinking. Anything, a person eats or drinks, is considered to be that person's diet.



A person's diet will affect whether that person loses, gains, or maintains their weight. A diet can also help prevent, or can be the cause of health problems. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consume a healthy and balanced diet.



The basis of a healthy and balanced diet is the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Pyramid. The USDA updated the Food Pyramid in 2005. It now acknowledges that the amount of food a person should eat is different for each individual. Factors such as: a person's height and weight; the amount of exercise he/she receives every week; and whether that person is trying to lose, gain, or maintain weight determine the amount of calories an individual should consume. You can find out your own personal diet plan by visiting http://www.MyPyramid.gov.



The new pyramid has vertical stripes. Each stripe is a different color and represents a different food group. Each of the food groups should be consumed every day in order to achieve a healthy and balanced diet. The following is a list of the different colors, what they represent, and the serving size that should be consumed each day based on a 2000 calorie diet:



* Orange- Grains: 6 oz. per day (3 oz. should be whole grains)
* Green- Vegetables: 2.5 cups per day
* Red- Fruits: 2 cups per day
* Yellow- Fats and Oils: Keep to a minimum
* Blue- Milk and Dairy Products: 3 cups per day
* Purple- Meat, Beans, Fish, and Nuts: 5.5 oz. per day

Diet Terminology

Here is a list of terms associated with diets:



* Carbohydrates : Also known as "carbs." They are the body's main source of energy. There are two categories of carbohydrates:

o Simple Carbohydrates: Can be quickly digested and they provide a quick surge of energy. Fruits contain simple carbohydrates.
o Complex Carbohydrates: Take more time to be digested. Whole-grain bread, pasta, rice, and vegetables all contain complex carbohydrates.



* Proteins : They are the "building blocks" of the body. Proteins are essential for the growth and maintenance of the body's cells.


* Fats : Some important roles of fats are to keep the body's skin and hair healthy, tissue repair, protecting the internal organs, and preventing excessive loss of body heat. They also store unused energy as well as help to transmit important vitamins through the body. Excessive amounts of fat, which are found in saturated fat, can lead to health problems such as: high cholesterol, heart disease, stoke, and certain types of cancer.


* Metabolism : This is the processes the body uses to convert food into energy. The faster a person's metabolism is, the more calories that are burned.

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Consult Your Doctor

When finding the best diet or weight loss program for yourself, it is important to consult your doctor. They can help you create a diet that compliments your health conditions that you may or may not be aware of.