Diet Plans

All you have to do is 'eat right and exercise.'  How many times have you been told this?  How many times have you tried a new 'diet', have it work for a while, then get bored or feel deprived and fall 'off the wagon'?

How Can I Sort Out the Fact from the Fiction with Diet Plans?

Do a search on the internet for Diet Plans and you will get millions of results!  Who has time to search through them?  Are there millions of different diet plans?  Which ones do I take notice of?  Aren't there some simple guidelines somewhere that I can apply to my own situation? 

What information is myth, not fact? 

• It doesn't matter what you eat if you can burn it off exercising
• If women use weights they will bulk up
• Eating three big meals a day is good for me
• If you get hungry and eat too much, you lack willpower
• Calories are king
• If you 'eat right' you don't need a nutritional supplement

What information is fact?

• When you exercise, what you eat is very important
• Women can create lean, toned bodies through resistance training
• Eating small regular meals every two to three hours keeps your metabolism ticking over
• If you don't eat foods that satiate (fill you up) you, you will overeat
• Portion size, quality of food and timing of eating are king
• Many people may benefit from additional supplements, as nutrients can be lost from food through poor soils, storage, and cooking methods

What Steps Can I Take to Find the Best Diet Plan for Me?

First, think of revising your current eating plan.  Do you eat regular, nutritious meals?  Are they balanced with quality proteins, carbohydrates, vegetables, healthy fats, fruits, vitamins and minerals?  Do you still feel tired or hungry after eating?  If so, then how you eat now may not be doing the best job for your health and wellbeing.

Secondly, choose a diet plan for your circumstances.  Are you hoping for weight loss?  Do you have a medical condition that could be helped with a better eating plan, like diabetes?  Do you plan to tone and strengthen your body through bodybuilding or an exercise program? Or do you just want to ensure that you have a healthy diet for you and your family?

Note: This information has been provided as a guide only and is not intended as medical or professional advice.  If you have questions about a type of diet and how suitable it is for you, please discuss with your health professional.