The Truth About Dieting

Dieting can be simply defined as a process wherein there is regulated intake of food to achieve the desired body weight. Dieting trend is often for weight control which includes weight loss, weight gain and maintaining a stable body weight. Gone are the days when diets were specified only for models. Dieting tips are now followed by all health conscious individuals. A popular method of dieting for weight control simply consists of regulating the food intake along with appropriate extent of physical activity. In any plan for dieting, good foods to eat and regular exercise assumes a lot of importance.

There are several books claiming to provide dieting tips eliciting quick results. Of them Atkins’ diet or the low carb dieting is popular. Low carbohydrate dieting instructions specify decreased intake of carbohydrate-rich food like bread, pasta and processed food and increased intake of vitamin and protein-rich food like raw vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.

Several programs highlight the benefits of green tea for dieting. Green tea extract is rich in the catechin polyphenols which not only restricts the cellular entry of glucose and promotes oxidation of fats but also has potent anti-oxidant and anti-tumorogenic effects.

Statistics on dieting have revealed the importance of following good dieting tips consistently. Extreme deprivation of the essential nutrients for the body as in the case of crash dieting or the yo-yo dieting and anorexia meant to achieve weight loss through starvation ultimately results in malnutrition. Crash diets are very unhealthy since after a prolonged period of food deprivation the body responds by restoring the weight lost in addition to a reserve weight gain in anticipation of potential food deprivation. Anorexia is a serious condition that needs clinical attention. Though it has plenty of supporters, currently pro-anorexia and dieting tips advocating abstinence from food have come under severe criticism due to the life-threatening consequences especially among teenagers.

For physical and mental well-being it is not enough to solely control what one eats but also follow behavior plans for dieting. This involves eating just what is required at proper times in addition to optimum levels of physical activity.

During weight loss programs, exercise regimen for building and toning the muscle helps to prevent excessive sagging of the skin. Alternatively, skin lifting surgeries are done to get rid of the excess fat and handle the problem of how to tighten loose skin after dieting.