2 Reasons Why Low Calorie Diets Don’t Work
Do you planning to follow a low calorie diet plan in order to lose weight fast? Before you take any action, read this article to find out why low calorie diet plans don’t work!
I have been getting numerous emails from people saying that they are following a certain popular low calorie diet then find out they are only getting little to no results. After failing to lose weight from this particular diet plan, people tend to give on it!
The top reason why low-calorie diet plans cannot help you is: when you eat low-calorie foods, you are pretty much starving your body. You feel sick and tired at all times. Also, by going on a low calorie diet, you will not have the energy to do exercises, physical activities, or other activities. All these things happen because your metabolic rate is low!
If you want to lose weight properly, you are going to have to keep these two things in mind:
1. Calories are not your enemies: Calories are not what you should avoid; calories are required to supply your body with the necessary nutrition and energy. When your body gets enough food, your metabolic rate will increase and will give a weight loss effect!
The bad calories are those that are available in junk foods. So while you won’t accumulate fat by eating 10 apples per day (even though a single apple contains almost 100 calories), you will surely get fat by eating 10 burgers!
That is the basic difference! You need to avoid empty calories (that is, junk foods) and embrace bad calorie foods, such as fruits and veggies. Now negative calorie doesn’t mean that there is no calorie in these foods; it only means that in order to digest themselves, these foods will force your body to burn more calories than what they provide! As the ultimate result of this calorie deficit, you will lose weight!
2. Gaining muscle is a must: Do you know that in order to maintain themselves, muscles burn a lot of your calories? You should know that the more muscles you build, the more weight you will lose! Consuming food that have a lot of protein can help you gain lean muscles; another is lifting weights at your local gym. Eating protein-rich foods also has its advantages: you won’t feel hungry too often; as such, you don’t have to worry about overeating.
When you eat low-calorie foods, you are not able to build muscles; instead you LOSE muscles.When your body doesn’t have enough lean muscles, it is not able to burn fat since your metabolic rate remains at an abnormally low level. Another reason why low calorie diets don’t work!
Most of these low calorie diets will only help you lose water and muscles; while you maybe misled into believing that you have actually lost several dozens of pounds, you have not lost the single most important thing that is keeping you from becoming slim: and that is FAT! Unless you lose fat, there is no way you can become fit!
If you need help on how to start your weight loss goal, I suggest investing a small amount of money into a popular online e-book called Strip That Fat. Strip That Fat can help you with your weight goals by not restricting you from certain foods, just limiting them.
Low Calorie Foods With High Energy
To succeed at weight loss, you know you need to eat fewer calories than you burn But how can you make it through your busy day if you’re feeling hungry and weak? Eating the wrong kinds of low-calorie foods can not only sap your energy, they can also cause headache, dizziness or short temper. Choosing the right combination of foods can help you consume fewer calories without compromising your vitality, productivity or active lifestyle.
- Don’t avoid fat just because it has almost twice as many calories per gram as carbohydrates or protein (nine versus four). Adding fat to meals helps you feel more satisfied for two reasons. First, fat delays gastric emptying, which means your meal stays in your stomach longer. Second, this slower rate of digestion helps stabilize blood sugar by delivering a slow and steady stream of nutrients and glucose to the rest of the body. Low blood sugar not only causes cravings, it leaves you feeling tired, unfocused and cranky. Choose healthy (unsaturated) fats found in nuts, avocado, olive oil, and soy products such as tofu and edamame.
- Fiber also stays in your stomach longer, helping you feel more satisfied on fewer calories. Like fat, fiber helps stabilize blood sugar, which can prevent cravings and keep you feeling energetic and strong. Fiber-rich foods also tend to be bulkier per calorie than other foods. This means they take longer to consume and can leave you feeling like you’ve eaten a big meal—for a low-calorie price. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are excellent sources of fiber.
- A high-protein breakfast is more satisfying and energizing than a high-carbohydrate one, according to a Purdue University study reported in Feedstuffs. Replacing a carbohydrate-based breakfast with a high-protein breakfast can help you consume fewer calories the rest of the day, according to the study. Instead of bagels, waffles, muffins and sugary cereals, try nut butter on whole grain toast, eggs with fiber-rich vegetables or a high-protein smoothie.
- Consuming sugar, white flour and other simple carbohydrates will cause a blood sugar spike and plunge that will energize you briefly, then leave you feeling flat. Avoid snacks (even those 100-calorie packs) that are high in carbohydrates but low in fiber, fat and protein.
- Make it a habit to include fiber, protein and healthy fat in each meal or snack. Try keeping on hand individual portions (1/4 to 1/3 of a cup) of nuts mixed with dried fruit. This low-bulk snack is perfect for powering through a busy day or intense workout. Keeping healthy snacks on hand can save you from making impulsive, energy-draining choices. A one- or two-hundred calorie snack can also help you save hundreds of calories later—by staving off hunger long enough for you to make a sensible dinner or lunch plan. But do avoid keeping a large bag of trail mix in your desk or car. The calories can quickly sneak up on you.
Try these other low-calorie, high-energy food combinations: an apple or banana with almond butter; an apple and a slice of cheese; hummus with chopped vegetables; Cauliflower florets with peanut butter; cottage cheese with fresh fruit or jelly; Greek yogurt (it’s higher in protein than regular yogurt); yogurt with chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds; seasoned tofu with rice, couscous or toast.
[...] Make it a habit to include fiber, protein and healthy fat in each meal or snack. Try keeping on hand individual portions (1/4 to 1/3 of a cup) of nuts mixed with dried fruit. This low-bulk snack is perfect for powering through a busy day or intense workout. Keeping healthy snacks on hand can save you from making impulsive, energy-draining choices. A one- or two-hundred calorie snack can also help you save hundreds of calories later—by staving off hunger long enough for you to make a sensible dinner or lunch plan. But do avoid keeping a large bag of trail mix in your desk or car. The calories can quickly sneak up on you. Try these other low-calorie, high-energy food combinations: an apple or banana with almond butter; an apple and a slice of cheese; hummus with chopped vegetables; Cauliflower florets with peanut butter; cottage cheese with fresh fruit or jelly; Greek yogurt (it’s higher in protein than regular yogurt); yogurt with chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds; seasoned tofu with rice, couscous or toast. Read full article at: 2 Reasons Why Low Calorie Diets Don’t Work [...]