Dieting For Weight Loss
Losing weight quickly is OK as long as you do it safely, not through a crash diet. You can lose three or more pounds a week by burning more calories than you eat. If you burn an extra 500 calories per day through eating less and increasing your physical activity, you can lose about one to two pounds of fat per week. Dieticians recommend a daily minimum of 1,200 calories per day (a 200-pound person might need 1,400 calories). Anything less makes you lose muscle as well as fat, which slows your metabolism. Instead, minimize your intake of starches, added sugars like high fructose corn syrup and animal fat from dairy and meats. Focus on eating fruits and vegetables, soy products, egg whites, skinless poultry breasts, shellfish and fish, nonfat dairy foods and meat that is 95 percent lean. Drink lots of water, don't skip meals, and eat only from a plate while seated at a table.
Recently Answered
- Q Why do some people diet and not lose weight?
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Laura Motosko, Nutrition & DieteticsWeight loss involves many factors including your environment, behavior change, physical activity, diet and genetics. Reducing calories in your diet is the most effective way for most people to lose weight. It is important to see your doctor for physical... Full Answer
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- Q Do I have to weigh and measure everything if I’m on a diet?
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Eating the right amount of food sometimes takes some practice. The food industry serves us oversized portions of almost everything, so it takes some active re-sizing to bring portions back down to an appropriate size for weight maintenance and... Full Answer
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- Q Can high glycemic foods make me gain weight?
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The glycemic index is a ranking of a food’s ability to contribute glucose to the blood stream. It challenges the assumption that absorption rate is related to the length of the carbohydrate molecule. In other words, it seems that long... Full Answer
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- Q What's a recipe for a salad that will burn fat?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyFor a lunch that tastes great and is packed with fat-fighting nutrients, try a salad of dandelion greens, watermelon, and parsley. After you’ve washed, dried, and torn one bunch of the greens into bite-sized pieces, combine them with 1 cup of cubed... Full Answer
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- Q Why do conventional diets fail?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyWhether or not a diet plan can be called "conventional" is largely in the eyes of the beholder. There are several common reasons why diet strategies fail, including: They're boring. If a diet severely limits the variety of foods you can eat, over... Full Answer
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- Q Do low-carb diets work?
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A successful diet involves burning more calories than you take in. There are a lot of fad diets out there, including low-carb diets, that may help you do that in the short term, but they won't help you keep the weight off for the long haul.... Full Answer
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- Q What is a good diet option for all-around fat reduction?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyThe best way to fight global fat is to stick to the principals of a Mediterranean diet. Focus on incorporating fish, fruits and vegetables to insure that the calories you consume are full of nutrients. Cut your carbohydrates in half, and double... Full Answer
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- Q As a veteran, how can I diet and stay on a budget?
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You don’t have to spend a lot to eat healthy and lose weight. Make sure you plan your weekly meals in advance and keep the cost within your budget. Once you have a grocery list written, stick with it. Avoid impulse buying, which will only add to... Full Answer
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- Q How can I avoid calorie deprivation when dieting?
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Follow these tips to avoid calorie deprivation during dieting periods: Only reduce your calorie consumption about 10%-15% below what you need for body-weight maintenance. Increase your calorie burning through anaerobic (weight training) and... Full Answer
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- Q What are the best choices in fast food restaurants?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyWhile many fast-food restaurants are slowly introducing healthier options to their menus, you can improve your chances of making a healthy choice if you follow these 10 tips. • Plan your meals in advance. Oftentimes people duck into a fast-food... Full Answer
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