There is no one-size-fits all diet plan. As individuals we all have our own specific dietary needs, calories requirements and burn a different number of calories. This is why you should never compare yourself with say a marathon runner who will need a diet rich in fats and calories.
Focus on nutrients, not calories
A chocolate bar is calorie rich but low in nutrient A handful of nuts with an egg and an avocado might have a similar number of calories, but the latter option will be dense in nutrients and will help your body function more effectively.
Eat a diet high in protein
Protein is fuel for the muscles and the very building blocks of every cell in our bodies. Protein also keeps you feeling full for longer.
Eat Carbohydrates after you train, not before.
The activity will allow you to burn off the carbs rather than them converting into sugars and laying down fat. Eating carbs before you workout will give you plenty of energy, but it will stop you burning fat – more on this later!
Advertising has brainwashed society into believing that being healthy is all about counting calories. This enables advertisers to sell the populace low calorie foods in the belief it will help them to lose weight.
It is indeed true that if your calorie intake is higher than your calorie expenditure then you will put on weight…but it’s not quite as simple as that…
Researcher at the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that even the way you cook your food can make a difference!
For example, eating food in it’s rawest form will boost your metabolism as your body will have to work to break the food down and digest it which will fire up your metabolism. When we process food, mash it up and over cook it, the body doesn’t have to do any work so our metabolisms just don’t work as hard or burn as many calories.
We were designed to eat fats and protein
Fats have been labelled as the enemy by marketing companies, when in fact it is sugar intake you need to watch. Fats enable you to feel full and sated and prevent you from over eating, but hang on before you grab that cheese burger and big mac! It’s all about the kind of fats you eat. Trans fats are linked to weight gain, heart disease and cancer. Good fats from eggs, poultry, fish and nuts are good for your brain, heart and overall health so be careful which type of fat you opt for.
Protein and fat is the best blend to keep you full and keep your metabolism burning at it’s peak.
The guys in white coats at Department of Nutrition at Arizona State University discovered that when we eat protein, many calories are lost as heat! This means that digesting protein burns calories. Eating a donut just does not have the same effect on our metabolisms!
For endurance exercise carbohydrates are your friend. If you are going on a ten mile run your body needs a good supply of carbs to give your muscles energy. However if you are looking to burn more fat researchers advise training on an empty stomach. Your body in a fasted state will dip into your fat stores for energy and start burning them up.
Eat well, train smart and avoid sugar. This is the best thing you could ever do for your body It’s that easy.
By Kaz B
