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Dieting is a trillion dollar industry
and every week new diet “revolutions” are announced.
Special plans, cooking implements, supplements and
exercise machines are thrust upon the public – leaving
consumers in a weight loss wilderness. If you do have
a weight problem how do you find your way through this
wilderness? How do you find a diet that is safe, effective
and sustainable? This week we give you some tips on
finding the right diet for you and look at some of the
latest diets that have hit the news stands. |
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When trying to find a weight loss solution, you should keep this
in mind:
If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is!
Be wary of diets that
- Ban a specific food group
- Promise a quick fix
- Replace a balanced meal with a drink or a snack bar
- Make recommendations based on single studies
- Are discredited by respected organisations
- Make recommendations to help sell a product.
Losing weight is not easy, but it is not impossible either. To
help you choose a diet you should take the following into consideration.
Look for long-term solutions
Excess weight does not appear overnight and nor will it disappear
that way. In fact the faster you lose weight, the more likely you
are to pile the kilos back on. Look for a program that will help
you maintain long- term body fat losses by providing sustainable
solutions - ie. a program that promotes lifestyle changes, healthy eating and regular exercise
Include Exercise
Regular exercise burns fat, boosts your metabolism, increases your energy
levels, and often leads to better food choices. Dietary changes
can lead to initial weight loss, but this is only short lived. Exercise
is essential for maintaining weight loss.
Nutritionally balanced
A safe diet is one that that supplies all of the essential vitamins
and minerals, and that is not extremely high in fat or protein.
The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommends a balance of bread and cereal
foods (preferably whole grain), fruits and vegetables (including
legumes such as beans, peas and lentils), lean meat and fish, and dairy products (preferably low
fat or reduced fat varieties)as well as small amounts of fats and oils from "occasional" foods.
A plan for weight maintenance after
Try to find a diet you never want to finish that includes a variety
of foods that you can live with comfortably. Take a long-term view,
and don’t forget to include plenty of exercise. The fact remains
that diets don't work, lifestyle changes do.
Find what works for you
What works for one person may not work for another. Find what works
for you- something that you can maintain for the rest of your life.
How the fund can help you find the right diet.
If you have hospital cover with the fund and would like help with managing your weight, check out our Total Health Program commencing with our online wellbeing assessment.
If you have Ancillary cover for the fund, you may be eligible to
claim for Weight Management classes from organisations such as Weight
Watchers or for visits to a dietitian. Find out more about our ancillary benefits.
Please remember: Before starting any new diet you should consult
your doctor to see if it is suitable, particularly if you have a
medical condition or are on medication.
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