Which Diet is Better for Weight Reduction?
By Stephen R. Farris
If your job requires you to work from home, drive for long periods of time, or sit for prolonged periods of time, then it could take its toll on your diet. For those types of occupations, nutritional health is usually tossed to the side. We opt for something quick and fast to satisfy our hunger so we can get back to our tasks.
So it's no wonder when we make our weekly (or daily) weigh-in on the scales, the needle tends to go up. However, there are a few things you can do to drop a few pounds and/or maintain your weight.
Try Intermittent Fasting
If you're a more disciplined person, then intermittent fasting may be ideal for you. Intermittent fasting limits the time you can eat, lowering your calorie intake (which can lead to weight loss) unless you overfill your plate, or make unhealthy food choices, during your time limits. Intermittent fasting can -- according to research -- slow the aging process, increase insulin sensitivity, improve brain health, reduce inflammation, and other healthy benefits.
Eating a Plant-Based Diet
Choosing to eat a plant-based diet can be beneficial to your health. With a plant-based diet, you're basically eliminating all meat products, and most dairy products as well. A plant-based diet could help reduce your risk of heart disease, certain types of cancers, and diabetes. However, cutting out all meat and certain dairy products -- which contain essential vitamins such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and calcium -- you may need to take a vitamin supplement so your body is getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs.
Low-Carb Diet
With a low-carb diet, you're cutting out as many carbs as possible, in favor of eating more protein and fats. There are different types of low-carb diets available to choose from, such as keto, Atkins, and a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF). Low-carb dieting can better reduce the bad belly fat, versus a low-fat diet. Eating a diet low in carbs can help reduce your risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, as well as improving blood sugar and insulin levels if you have type 2 diabetes.
Before Starting Your Diet
Before starting any diet or exercise program, you should talk with your primary care physician or your local chiropractor, to see if you're healthy enough to participate. And remember, you may have to try different diets to find out which one works best for you.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Rockford, Ill.