Dieting is defined as the maintenance of a controlled food intake regime in order to lose weight or maintain a steady body weight over time. Dieting has become common place in modern society, usually after Christmas and Easter in order to compensate for the large intake of unhealthy food over those periods.
There are several ways to categorize Dieting and weight loss regimes, and these can be split into the following categories: low fat, low carbohydrate, low calorie, and very low calorie diet.
A low fat Dieting plans main aim is to cut the amount of fat taken in by one's food. As an added advantage this cuts down on calories but this is not the main purpose of the diet. As a result fo the fat intake reduction you take on less saturated fat, which are thought to lead to high levels of the unwanted cholesterol, as a result putting your body at a greater risk of heart disease. However fats must not be completely removed from any diet as they are required in moderation to maintain a healthy body through their energy and fatty acid production.
One of the most obvious diets is the Low carbohydrate diet, first popular in the late 1990's for people to start slimming and increase the effect of weight loss. The diet involves cutting you Foods that are high in digestible carbohydrates, and replacing them with foods that contain higher amounts of proteins.
Dieting on a low calorie plan aims to set a lower maximum calorie intake per day. The most recognisable low calorie diet is Weight Watchers, which replaces calorie numbers with an easy to understand points system. Sensible calorie reduction has been proven to maximise lifespan.
The extreme of calorie reduction are Very low calorie diets, these are defined medically as 800 calories per day or less. This diet maintains protein intake, but limits calorie intake from fats and carbohydrates. The effect of very low calorie diets is similar to that of starvation and you should consult a medical professional before embarking on such a diet.
The most important thing to remember when Dieting, it is important to find the right balance for you, so that you can continue to be healthy and exercise as part of your daily routine.
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