Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Nutrition for Weight Loss

One of the main reasons we begin a diet routine is weight loss. More people begin healthy eating for the purpose of weight loss than for the purpose of health. As such, educating yourself on basic health needs will also support your weight loss efforts. One of the most important factors for weight loss is good digestion. Healthy digestion means that your body is breaking down food components properly and utilizing those components to fuel your bodily functions. Diet plays a huge factor in your bodily digestion. Some foods are naturally easier to digest than others -- some foods stay in the stomach longer allowing you to feel full, and some foods end up on your hips within a matter of days! However, the intake of a probiotic supplement on a regular basis can help aid your body’s digestive process, thereby allowing for more efficient weight loss.

Another factor that weighs heavily on diet and weight loss is the use of condiments. It's all too common for modern Americans to drown even the healthiest foods in dressings, ketchup, mayonnaise, and other fat producing condiments. While all of these taste good, they’re not all that good for you. And it might help you to know that selecting the right condiments can make a difference. Choose salsa and mustard over mayo and ranch dressing. If you must eat bad-for-you condiments, a probiotic supplement can help your body break down these condiments to a level that is easier to digest.

Easy digestion means more efficient weight loss and more efficient fueling of the body. However, it is a good idea to avoid bad-for-you food whenever possible. Do your best to learn to love your food without additives. Natural food flavors can be appealing once you’ve cleansed your body of the need for condiments. Most modern Americans will have to reprogram their appetites to rid themselves of the need for condiments, much like addiction withdrawal.

Spend some time educating yourself on proper diet and nutrition. After all, knowledge is power. The more you know about your body and the requirements of your physiology for proper and healthy function, the more likely you will be to make good choices. If you could see what your lack of whole food nutrition is doing to your organs and your blood, you’d start eating right today…but because most of us won’t have that luxury, you’ll simply have to let your feelings of well being be your guide!

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