A well balanced diet consisting of proteins, carbohydrates and vegetables, has so many nutritional good that is beneficial to the human body. The food we eat which is the staff of life supports the body and prevents many deficiencies from occurring. We derive Vitamins, Minerals the main building blocks that build and sustain us when we eat foods in the correct proportions and at the right times.
Sometimes however, especially if we can afford it, we binge or over indulge in foods that cause us to gain a little weight around the middle over time. If this indulgence happens more frequently, we find ourselves trapped in a situation that seems impossible to get out of. A little heavy in the midsection and then the big one, BELLY FAT
Ah FOOD!!! But just how did we get there? Well eating is a happy occasion, right? At the sight of food, we are overjoyed because it satisfies hunger and hunger is painful. Because food is such a hunger reliever, we do not wish to be without it so we eat before going to bed, we snack in between meals, we eat junk food instead of cooking a balanced meal. We do all this and more because we do not like hunger and the converse is true. If given a choice we prefer to be happy than to feel pain.
TAKING FOOD FOR GRANTED. Familiarity breeds contempt they say and when we depend on food to relieve pain or stress we over indulge. As a result all the food that is not used up by the system at the time we eat turns into ugly fat. Now most of this fat is stored in you guessed it, the belly. Excess belly fat is extremely unhealthy and we might not be packing on the pounds just from overeating alone. Here are 8 conditions that can cause belly fat and some actions that can be taken which may help in the reduction and prevention of Belly Fat.
1 TRANS-FAT. Unsaturated fat mixed with oxygen the result (Trans Fat) is pumped into muffins, crackers and bake mixes to extend their shelf life. It is the unhealthiest of fats on the planet. As we consume these products, the trans fat reside in the belly, inflammation may result, there is a resistance to insulin that is used to neutralize it, the result stubborn Belly Fat.
ACTION. We need all the food groups for optimum health and development. Moderation now becomes part of the remedy. Reduce your intake of baked goods. Start an exercise plan to lose weight and burn unwanted calories.
2 SUGARY FOODS AND BEVERAGES. Before Carbohydrates are absorbed by our bodies it is broken down into sugars. A diet consisting of mainly Carbohydrates and sugary drinks is double trouble.
It triples when we lack physical activities that cause us to sweat and burn the excess sugars the body doesn’t need.
ACTION. Arrange the diet differently in the following manner A. Carbohydrates, Vegetable, Water or unsweetened teas. B. Protein, Vegetable Juice/Wine. Avoid a combination of Carbohydrates with protein and sweet drink unless you are working out to burn that double portion of sugars.
3 ALCOHOL. Surprise! Believe it or not Alcohol has both healthful and harmful effects. Red wine in moderate amounts lowers your risk of heart attacks or stroke. Living high on Alcohol may somehow lead to inflammation, liver disorder, less production of insulin, the result excess belly fat.
ACTION. A glass of Red Wine is fine. Heavy drinking and drunkenness may shorten your life. Drink responsibly.
4 INACTIVITY. A sedentary lifestyle where there is less bodily activity may lead to Belly Fat, and Fat related illnesses. Coupled with those conditions above, this could spell disaster for you.
ACTION Get at least Thirty Minutes of Walking, Jogging Swimming, Hiking, Biking, Gym Working Out or Dancing activity going on in that body.
5 LOW-PROTEIN DIETS “Protein makes you lean.” A diet of inadequate amounts of protein may cause belly fat. High protein diet may cause you to feel full for longer periods reducing more frequent calorie intakes.
ACTION Avoid a mix of Protein, Carbohydrates and sweet drinks at the same time when you eat and increase your protein intake.
6 MENOPAUSE Before Menopause, the woman’s body stores fat on the hips in preparation for child bearing. After menopause and with high calorie intake diets the fat is stored in the belly.
ACTION Avoid a mix of Protein, Carbohydrates and sweet drinks at the same time when you eat and increase your protein intake.
Get at least Thirty Minutes of Walking, Jogging Swimming, Hiking, Biking, Gym Working Out or Dancing activity going on in that body.
7 FRUIT JUICE. Fruit juice, even the unsweetened one is laden with fructose (sugar). Though fruit juice has essential vitamins and minerals the sugar in it could drive insulin resistance and may cause belly fat.
ACTION You may increase your protein intake and drink unsweetened beverages, teas or water with your food
8 LOW FIBER DIETS A low fiber and highly refined grain diet may lead to unwanted belly fat. Diets high in Fiber and low refined grain can help you feel full longer and stabilize hunger reducing the need for too frequent calorie intake.
ACTION You may consume foods with a high fiber and low refined content.
I ALREADY HAVE BELLY FAT. For many of us our lifestyles have backed us into a corner and we seem to have no way out. Not even nature seems to be acting in our favor as being overweight can be genetically oriented. Among other things, we could have weight gain due to lack of sleep, too much stress or an uncontrollable sweet tooth.
Whatever the cause, there is always an effect,a solution we must find. Just like electricity, it is a good servant but a bad master. Food is no different. It will serve our purpose bringing us Joy, support Development, make us Healthy and strong and let’s face it we could not survive or be healthy without it. On the other hand when it becomes our master, over time we will bear the burden and pains of overweight, stubborn belly fat and illness.
LET YOUR FOOD BE YOUR MEDICINE AND YOUR MEDICINE YOUR FOOD Now we will need to start taking some action that will get rid of that which we do not want in our lives. We must now begin to reverse or improve our situation. The same foods that got us there in the first place, we must now use them to get better, leaner and healthier bringing us joy again.
1 We cannot continue to do the same things in our lives and get different results. We must change. To change our situation we must first reflect on the course that we took that led us to where we are.
2 We must recognize the need for change, have the desire to change and want the change to happen.
3 Find a confidant or a mentor who will support us in our decisions to change.
4 Consult a professional (Doctor or Nutritionist) for advice and direction.
HEALTH AND FITNESS 