Nutrition Tips For Weight Loss Management

Here are some nutrition tips for successful weight loss management. Sixty to 70% of your weight loss and fat loss success or failure will depend on what you eat and how much....So here it is: some broad nutritional guidelines:

Make the commitment to change your eating habits no matter what it takes...this commitment will help you overcome the stumbles and setbacks along the way.

Start keeping a food journal as soon as possible! Research has proven that you will have a better chance of succeeding with your nutrition plan and fat loss if you keep a food journal! By logging your actual food choices, you are holding yourself accountable throughout the day. You will also be forced to plan your meals better and avoid binge eating and emotional eating.

Get an accountability partner such as a spouse, friend or personal trainer. You can challenge each other to make good food choices.

Add foods to your menu that you like. You are more likely to stay with a menu loaded with foods you like. I am amazed at some of the "healthy menus" in some magazines! Do people really eat that stuff! Find healthy, nutritious foods that you like and get rid of the foods that are bad for you (interpreted "adds fat to your body").

Set your daily calorie intake based on your basal metabolic rate and your activity level. This way, you won't eat too much or too little. Maintaining the right amount of calorie deficit (burning more calories than you consume) is the key to burning fat and losing weight.

I don't recommend any diet that omits one of the macronutrients (carbs, protein, fat). Your body's metabolism needs all 3 macronutrients to work efficiently.

The various "body organ cleansers" out there on the market are not the key to your fat loss and weight loss.....regular exercise (weight training and interval cardio) and good nutrition are your tickets to a permanent lean and toned body. Use the cleansers if you want for cleaning you out I guess. Just remember that healthy foods such as fruits and veggies also play a role in keeping your body clean (and alot less expensive)!

Along the same lines, there are no magic pills, powders or creams that will give you a permanent lean and toned body.

Control calorie intake by eating more water-based foods (volume eating). The basics of it is to eat as many foods with high water content/low calories as you can. Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables are examples. These types of foods help you to feel fuller (satiety) while eating fewer calories. For instance, grapes with the same calorie amount as raisins will provide more satiety and theoretically help you eat less the rest of the day. Energy density of food is a key component when trying to add volume to your diet. Energy density (ED) is defined as the amount of calories of a food divided by its weight in grams.

You would basically focus on foods rich in fiber with high water content (or low ED value). Fresh fruits (apples, etc.) and vegetables (such as tomatoes and broccoli) whole grain pastas, rice, whole grain breads and cereals, soups, salads and skinless white chicken/turkey are some examples.

Get enough sleep! Researchers have found that the less sleep the test subjects got, the higher their body mass index. The shorter sleep time altered the subjects hormone levels, energy decreased and appetite increased. And we already knew that decreased energy affects your workout performance. What's enough sleep? The general rule is 8 hours of sleep a night. Some may need more sleep or a little less than 8 hours. Don't sabotage your exercise program and weight loss efforts by not getting enough shut-eye.

Eat These 3 Foods to Burn More Belly Fat

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
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About Mark

Hi, I'm Mark Dilworth, Nutritionist, Dietary Strategies Specialist, Nutrition for Metabolic Health Specialist and Lifestyle Weight Management Specialist. Since 2006, I have helped thousands of clients and readers make lifestyle habit changes which includes body transformation and ideal body weight.