Congratulations to the millions of people who have decided to change their diets and adopt a healthier lifestyle. What they are doing for themselves will add years of happiness to their lives, give them a stronger sense of well-being, and they will experience a better overall self image. Whether adopting a diet for weight-loss or health reasons or for personal or moral reasons (such as vegetarian or vegan diets), dieters are doing something good for themselves – and that’s important.
Equally important is maintaining proper nutrition during times of restricted caloric intake or food restrictions. The human body operates on myriad vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and it receives all of these building blocks from a variety of different foods. It is difficult enough to get everything the body needs without cutting back on calories or eliminating entire food groups, so it is virtually impossible to get it all while on a diet – any kind of diet. Supplementing with discount vitamins helps to ensure proper nutrition while still meeting the objective of the diet.
There are literally thousands of vitamins and supplements to choose from, so it is important to know what the many vitamins and minerals do for the body and which ones are lacking in the various diets.
Weight loss diets come in many forms, the simplest of which is just a matter of cutting calories. This means eating basically the same foods, just less of them. Most of these diets are extremely lacking in fruits and vegetables, which are a major source of vitamins A, C, and K. Vitamin A plays many roles including assisting in cell growth and generation and helping to maintain a strong immune system. Almost everyone is aware of vitamin C’s super powers in fighting colds and other illnesses, but it is also a vital antioxidant and it has been linked to maintaining a healthy heart. Vitamin K’s primary function is to help in the clotting of blood so that minor cuts and abrasions do not cause a person to bleed to death. Now that’s pretty significant.
Healthier weight-loss diets encourage the consumption of many fresh fruits and vegetables as they are low in fat and calories and can be eaten in larger quantities without the calorie count of items from other food groups. This still presents an opportunity for one to be deficient in one or many nutrients. Reducing one’s caloric intake means giving up something from one or perhaps all food groups, so nutrients somewhere somehow are going to be lacking, no matter how balanced the diet is.
There are also specialty weight-loss diets such as Adkins and South Beach Diet. The Adkins diet is high in meats and other protein sources and very low in carbohydrates and foods from the bread and cereal food group. While the South Beach Diet is a little more balanced, it encourages limited amounts of carbohydrates from bread, cereal, pasta, and fruit. Foods plentiful in whole grains are excellent sources of iron, fiber, many of the B vitamins, and the minerals magnesium and selenium. A lack of iron in the diet can result in a condition known as anemia. Individuals suffering from anemia feel sluggish and tired and they experience slowed mental and physical abilities. Fiber not only helps with the digestion of food, but also reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and constipation. The B vitamins found in whole grains are vital for the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Selenium and magnesium are minerals needed in only trace amounts. Selenium acts as an antioxidant and helps to prevent heart disease and cancer. Magnesium helps to keep bones strong as well as promote normal nerve and muscle function.
Lifestyle diets include vegetarianism and veganism and both are growing in popularity. Vegetarians omit all meat products from their diets, limiting available sources of protein. Protein’s best-known role is that of the body’s building blocks, but it also plays a role in digestion and maintaining the immune system. Basically, every living cell and most fluids in the body contain protein. It is what the body uses to build and regenerate itself. Vegans eliminate not just meat from their diets, but all animal products, including eggs and milk. Not only are they faced with a potential lack of protein, but they must also find other sources calcium. Calcium is known for building strong bones and teeth. A deficiency of this important mineral can lead to brittle bones and/or osteoporosis.
Another diet that should be discussed is that of a person suffering from celiac disease, or intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat products. Wheat flour is the main ingredient in most breads, cereals, and pastas. As discussed previously, these foods are excellent sources of vitamin B, fiber, and other minerals. Discount vitamins are especially useful to individuals with this type of dietary issue as this is a permanent diet and cheating can often lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction.
The food pyramid, as put out by the USDA, is designed to provide for all daily nutritional requirements. However, if the average person could follow the food pyramid, the weight loss industry would not be as large as it is today. It can be difficult to change eating habits – no matter what the reason – but discount vitamins can help to ensure that everyone is getting the nutrition their bodies require.
There are many reasons to “go on a diet.” Whether it is to lose weight or as a demonstration of one’s moral beliefs, dieting should be a positive experience to improve one’s quality of life. Supplementing with discount vitamins can enhance one’s dieting experience by helping to round out everyday nutrition. And balanced nutrition is something that everyone should do for him or herself.
Freelance Writer
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