Recommendations from Weight Loss Centers —eat like an Olympian

Source: powerlineblog.com

The Summer Olympics were very inspiring—especially if you’re an American. Gold medals aside, the athletes who participated were all amazing shape. This is obviously due to disciplined workouts and practice schedules, but also to eating well. If you’ve ever followed any diets or easy weight loss programs, you may recognize some of the healthy eating habits that professional athletes typically follow. If your goal is to get your body in competitive shape, our weight loss centers recommend that you adopt a few, if not all, of the following behaviors:

Avoid processed sugar. Weight loss centers recommend eliminating sugar as much as you can. Not only does it usually contain empty calories, it can have a high fat content and will cause your blood sugar to spike rapidly, resulting in a cycle of sugar rushes and crashes that can ultimately cause weight gain. There is nothing healthy about processed sugar, so find some alternatives like fruit or dark chocolate to curb that sweet tooth. If you need help with ideas, visit one of the many clinics that specialize in medical weight loss to determine some selections that won’t hinder your weight loss efforts.

Ditch the cheese. Whether you’re following one of our easy weight loss programs or just trying to maintain a healthy diet, it’s best to eat cheese in moderation. Cheese typically has both a high saturated fat and calorie content, though it is a good source of source of protein, phosphorus and calcium. The best thing to do is think of it as an accent, not a main ingredient. Use it sparingly to add a little flavor, and stick to the cheeses that are naturally low in fat, such as goat cheese, part-skim mozzarella, Neufchâtel and Farmer’s cheese.

Go whole-wheat instead of white. Whole wheat grains, aka “healthy carbohydrates,” are complex to digest and healthier overall. They’re a great source of fiber, which fills you up and staves off hunger. Meanwhile, white flour does the exact opposite. Your body basically transforms it into sugar, thus putting you on the same blood glucose cycle that processed sugars do. 

Swap out salt. Salt causes water retention and can raise blood pressure. Try to use more flavorful spices and herbs instead of adding salt to your meals. Cayenne, pepper, garlic, red pepper and rosemary are excellent alternatives that also have metabolism revving effects. For other salt substitutes, ask the physicians at one of the clinics that specialize in medical weight loss.