Weight Loss Nutrition

In our increasingly overweight and obese society, many people are taking steps to achieve healthier bodies through diet and exercise. While these are two pillars of healthy and permanent weight loss, there is one very important key to maintaining the battle of the bulge -- nutrition.

Weight-loss nutrition is an overlooked but incredibly important aspect of weight loss, because lack of proper nutrition during exercising and dieting can not only lead to health problems down the road, but actually prevent you from losing weight!

The Supplements

In order to make sure your body is performing at its peak, you should look into taking nutrition supplements to help boost your digestion and metabolism. The Weight Loss Guide Organization recommends taking extra supplements of vitamins A, C, B12, D and E, which are generally found in an over-the-counter daily multivitamin, along with extra calcium, iron and other essential minerals your body might need.

Fish oil containing Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acid is also very good, especially in supporting digestion. Along with that, there are supplements like amino acids and protein shakes that can help curb appetite and boost energy during a workout, but outside of a daily multivitamin, it is a good idea to consult a nutritionist to make sure these supplements are safe for your body. With any supplement you take, be sure to drink plenty of water to help the pill break down and absorb into your body.

Dietary "Do"

The Weight-control Information Network (WIN), of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK is a division of the United States National Institute of Health) suggests the best diet for weight loss is one that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Your diet should be balanced with servings of lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, eggs and nuts, and low in salt (sodium), saturated fats, trans fats and added sugar.

Dietary "Don't"

Don't deny yourself any fats, sugars or carbohydrates in order to lose weight---just carefully watch what you eat. The general idea of how weight loss happens is to burn more calories than you eat in order to lose weight. So, if you really want that cupcake, then just eat it and enjoy it---then be prepared to work it off at the gym later, or somehow adjust your diet so that you do not go over your daily caloric needs.

Figuring Out What You Need

The best way to determine your individual daily caloric needs is to find a body mass index (BMI) calculator (there are many available online, which you can find via a simple Internet search) to determine how many calories you need. You might also consult a nutrition guide or dietitian to make sure you are eating balanced meals. Eating balanced meals and drinking plenty of water can reduce cravings for empty calories and boost energy, which will in turn help rev up your metabolism!

What Else You Should Do?

WIN also points out that eating properly is the key to losing weight, and suggests eating small meals more frequently throughout the day to avoid overeating or binging on empty calories (those high in sugars and fats) to stop feeling hungry. In general, starving your body by skipping meals will cause your metabolism to slow down, which will also slow down your weight loss, or even make you gain weight. Your body needs to get adequate amounts of iron, vitamins D and B12, calcium, zinc and protein to function properly. The lack of these essential nutrients can potentially lead to problems like osteoporosis and anemia, not to mention metabolic issues down the road if you are not careful.

Overall, if you balance your diet and add the proper supplements that work most efficiently with your metabolism, you will be on the road to a healthier you in no time at all. Good luck!