Personalized Menus Provide Healthy Weight Loss Strategies

When carbohydrates are available, they are the body’s primary source of energy. Your body burns carbs to fuel your brain and body. However, when carbohydrates are unavailable, your body begins to burn fat. Think of belly flab as a storage unit for your body. But, when you’re trying to lose weight, understand that these fat cells are programmed to store energy reserves and are resistant to just letting fat go. Although low-fat diets can help you lose weight, most experts agree that it is more important for you to make healthy choices, not just limit your intake of fat or substitute one macronutrient for another. A personalized low-fat diet can help you allocate calories with more filling carbs and proteins at less than half the calories per gram. Personalized menu plans are a healthier weight loss strategy.

AHA Four Types of Dietary Fats

Studies suggest essential fatty acids support optimal brain function, a reduction of diabetes mellitus, and better vision as well as to help overweight individuals achieve optimal health. The four types of dietary fats, include:

• Saturated Fats - Saturated with hydrogen molecules, saturated fats are found in animals and have no double bonds between carbon molecules.
• Trans Fats - The primarily dietary source of trans fats is found in processed foods made with partially hydrogenated oils.
• Monounsaturated Fats - Oils that contain monounsaturated fats are normally liquid at room temperature but turn solid when chilled.
• Polyunsaturated Fats - Polyunsaturated fats can have a beneficial effect on heart health when used to replace saturated fats and trans fats in your diet.

Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic processes and evidence suggest that the wrong balance of essential fatty acids may be a factor in chronic illnesses. Almost all polyunsaturated fats in your diet are crucial for the development of endocannabinoids.

Which Is Right For You?

Dieters and weight loss specialists usually have strong opinions about consuming carbohydrates. Unfortunately, what often gets overlooked is the fact carbs are macronutrients that are an important energy source. The key to remember is that all carbohydrates are not created equal. While powdered white donuts are bad, a number of carbs exist that are very good for you.

Dieters often associate carbs with foods that are white (sugar, pasta, breads, etc.) but healthier high-carb foods include peas, winter squash, grains, Greek yogurt and fruit.

Dietary fiber is a carbohydrate found in plant foods and is formed by sugar molecules that are difficult for the body to breakdown. Unlike sugar and starch, fiber is not a good source of fuel but still plays a major role in health and wellness.

While you can survive without sugar, it is difficult to completely eliminate carbohydrates entirely from your diet. Healthy source of carbs, such as high fiber vegetables, whole fruits, and legumes, provide important nutrients like calcium, iron and B vitamins.