The Pros and Cons of Dieting
With obesity becoming a major epidemic in this country, it is easy to see why
so many Americans choose some form of dieting to loose weight, improve their
health, for vitality and to increase longevity. Many of us are confused about
the many diverse types of dieting available to the American public. While some
appear to be a quick fix where one sees results fast, others are more stable
and much more likely to sustain long term results.
However you decide to pursue your weight loss, there are certain pros and cons every individual should be aware of. The following is a list of reasons why you should be cautious when dieting and why you should always thoroughly investigate the nutritional value of a weight loss plan before beginning it. It is always advisable to speak with your physician before beginning any weight loss program.
Pros of Dieting
• Losing excess weight will undoubtedly improve your overall health.
• Studies have proven that the heavier you are the harder it is for your
heart to do its job.
• Reducing your weight will also increase your energy.
• People who maintain their ideal weight tend to look younger.
• You are more likely to live longer when you are not overweight.
• Dieting, if done properly, can reduce your fat index.
• Besides the obvious benefits of weight loss, eating a diet low in fat
and high in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, helps fight diseases
such as cancer and heart disease.
• Self-image will improve when you look and feel better.
• Healthy diets can lower cholesterol levels.
• Maintaining a healthy diet can lessen depression in some instances.
Cons of Dieting
• Losing weight too fast can be harmful to your health.
• Some diets lack balanced nutrients and can result in permanent damage
to the body.
• Dropping weight too fast can leave skin loose and flabby.
• Losing weight too fast can also cause wrinkling and sagging.
• Diets can cause you to focus more on food and not less.
• Diets are not always a long-term solution. Once the diet is ended you
must make permanent changes in your eating habits.
• Dieting can leave you weak. Dieting requires eating sufficient amounts
of food in order for your body to function properly.
• Malnutrition can occur if proper vitamins and nutrients are ignored in
an effort to lose too much too fast.
• Sometimes there is damage to the metabolism in dieting. Starvation type
dieting and yo-yo dieting are prime examples. Studies show that when you go
on a diet your body adjusts its metabolism and makes people more prone to put
weight on once the diet is ended.
• Many diet aids can lead to stoke, permanent heart damage and even death.
• Dieting is hard on your body and must be done when you are in fairly good
health.
• Only about 1/5 of dieters reach their weight loss goals.
• If you have a deeper issue causing you to over eat, such as emotional
problems, stress, depression or loneliness, dieting alone may not resolve these deeper
underlying issues. There is evidence that you will gain back the weight if
you do not deal with the “real” problem.
Before starting any diet and exercise regimen it is important to check with
your physician. Unfortunately, there are many diets on the market that are
not safe or balanced.
In addition, your physician may want to give you a routine physical exam
to assess whether you are a candidate for dieting. Patients with heart
disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high
blood pressure and stroke need to be especially aware of the possible complications and their individual
risk factors.
Read on about the South Beach Diet.
