In nutrition, diet plays the role of controlling the amount or type of calories a person intake through time. Diet has many factors such as how it is prepared and what it contains. It also includes the individual characteristics of the person that control his appetite or eating disorder. In addition to this, there are also certain other factors that may affect diet such as the time when one has undergone any disease or sickness, the amount of weight that he needs to lose and some other circumstances.
There are many types of diets that are available in the market today. Some of these diets include the low-fat diet, the glycemic index, the Mediterranean diet and others. These diets have their own advantages and disadvantages. Low-fat and low GI diets are low calorie diets that have low fat content and low GI that indicate how quickly carbohydrates are digested by the body. The Mediterranean diet has low fat and high fiber contents while the Glycemic Index has been associated with high levels of blood sugar.
In the low-fat diet, the major source of calories includes coconut oil, butter, cream, cheese, ice creams and other dairy products. Consuming foods that contain a large amount of saturated fats are discouraged. High caloric foods include cookies, fried foods, candies, chocolate, cakes and fast food restaurants. Foods that have low Glycemic Index have been found to have a low sugar content and hence are recommended for those who are prone to diabetes. Foods that have medium-to-low Glycemic Index are good for those who want to control their blood sugar levels.
On the other hand, those who are suffering from anorexia nervosa should consume fruits and vegetables because these contain necessary nutrients. Fruits and vegetables contain almost ninety percent of water, nearly nine percent of protein, almost six percent of carbohydrate and one percent of fiber. Thus, fruits and vegetables are the best option for those who are on a diet to lose weight. In addition to fruits and vegetables, brown rice, raw oats and nuts are recommended as a good source of dietary fiber.
Although there are many people who have developed a habit of consuming fast food, there are others who are able to control their calorie intake through proper exercise. Regular exercise not only burns excess calories but also improves the insulin sensitivity in the body. It is seen that those who are on a regular exercise routine to have lower chances of developing obesity and other related ailments. The consumption of diet plans has been found to be effective only when coupled with proper diet and exercise. These plans ensure that you do not develop eating habits that lead to obesity.
When you adopt a dieting plan, it is important to make a list of the necessary nutrients that you need to ensure the correct functioning of your body organs. Therefore, you have to pay special attention to the vitamins and minerals that you take in every day. Some of the essential nutrients that need to be added to your dieting regimen are zinc, beta carotene, vitamin B12 and folic acid. Folic acid is known to prevent defects in the neural tube of the fetus. It is a necessary nutrient for the proper growth of babies and young children and should therefore be present in your daily dieting menu.