Education is the foundation for any weight loss plan. Knowing the basic essential nutrients will help you to plan an effective nutritional program for your weight loss goals.

The three primary nutrients your body needs for peak performance are: fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Not all fats, proteins and carbohydrates are good. This is where education fits in. Knowing what is good will make your effective nutritional program successful.

The bad kinds of carbohydrates increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes. These carbohydrates become “bad” when you eat an abundance of them and eat them too often. Most of these “bad” carbohydrates are white in color – white potatoes, white rice, white bread and white beans. These carbohydrates should be avoided when planning an effective nutrition program for weight loss.

Carbohydrates are not all bad. They give your body energy for physical activity. The best sources of carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables and whole grain staples. These carbohydrates provide your body with vitamins, fiber and minerals for optimal performance.

Low-fat staples are best for an effective nutrition weight loss program. Eating too much saturated fat can elevate cholesterol levels and increase your risk for heart disease. Fats are good in your diet because they help to give you the feeling of being full. You just have to make sure you are consuming the right fats.

The three major types of fat are:

SATURATED – These fats are found in meats, butter, cheese and whole milk. The only milk that does not contain saturated fats is skim milk.

UNSATURATED – These fats are found in fish and plant foods. Salmon and Albacore Tuna are the best fish for unsaturated fats. These are good unsaturated fats for a healthy heart.

TRANS – These fats are found in margarine and those foods with hydrogenated oils on their labels.

Fats are needed in your daily diet for building hormones. It is important to make sure you choose the right type of fat and the right amount of fat.

Proteins are essential to a healthy diet. The best sources of protein are eggs, poultry, beef, fish, dairy products and nuts. Proteins make up your muscles, organs and immune system. Proteins are essential to making the part of the red blood cells used for the transport of oxygen throughout your body. This part of the blood is called hemoglobin.

To calculate your protein needs, multiply your current weight times 0.5. A simpler calculation is to divide your current weight by two. As you lose pounds, continue this calculation because your need for protein lessens as your pounds decreases.

Mary Mason-Shields encourages this form of weight loss motivation to help you unload those unwanted pounds and help you find that little person you lost. This will also help you begin a healthy and nutritious diet plan.
http://www.marymshields.usana.com,
http://www.maryreset.blogspot.com, http://www.divinity-mary.blogspot.com