A balanced and healthy diet is critical if you want to lose weight fast. In fact, an analysis of more than 700 weight loss studies found that people see the biggest short-term results when they eat smart. In this article, we cover some of the ways eating smart can help you lose weight fast.
1. Control Calorie Intake
Focusing on whole and nutrient-dense foods can help you feel full, reducing your overall calorie intake as a result. By reducing your calorie intake, it becomes easier to achieve a calorie deficit, which is a state in which you are consuming fewer calories than your body is burning. In this state, your body burns stored fat to make up for the energy difference, leading to weight loss.
2. Boost Metabolism
Consuming a diet that is rich in nutrients which boost your body’s metabolism – which can be thought of as the rate at which your body converts food into energy – will help you lose weight. Two of these nutrients are protein and healthy fats. Protein helps with your metabolism because the body burns more calories digesting protein than it does with other nutrients. Healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, are broken down differently from other nutrients (including proteins), in a way that requires more energy and therefore increasing metabolism
3. Reduce inflammation
An important part of smart eating is the avoidance of food types which contribute to weight gain. One such food type is processed food. Processed food can alter the bacteria that live in our gut, in the process potentially triggering the immune system in a way that leads to inflammation. Inflammation can in turn interfere with the body’s response to leptin – a hormone responsible for telling the brain when you have eaten enough – causing you to eat more than necessary.
4. Improve Digestion
In order to lose weight fast, it is also important to eat foods rich in nutrients which promote good digestive health. A healthy digestive system means that your body can more effectively absorb the nutrients from the food you eat, which can help to reduce hunger and cravings. One such nutrient is fibre, which acts as a natural laxative for your gut, helping to regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. Furthermore, fibre helps to slow down the digestion process, making you feel fuller and less wanting to eat more.
Given the importance of a healthy and balanced diet in helping you achieve your fitness goals, getting help from someone who is able to advise you on the right amounts of each food item to be eaten is going to be very helpful. The personal trainers at Oompf! Fitness don’t just help you with the physical training aspects of your fitness journey, but also your nutritional needs. They can analyse your body composition and come up with meal plans best suited for your nutritional and fitness needs.
