For anyone trying to live a healthier lifestyle, you may know by now the value of good nutrition. And whether you like it or not, hard work is never a substitute for a good diet. All those hours in the gym will be wasted if you don’t feed the body the right way.
And for a lot of people who are still lost, here are some of the most Googled questions about nutrition.
Can I lose weight without taking out carbohydrates?
One of the first things that people tend to do is to cut carbohydrates completely from their diet. And for a lot of people, they lose a lot of weight by doing so.
In reality, people lose weight because they still eat the same foods minus the carbohydrates. It means that people lose weight not because they took out carbohydrates but because they decreased their caloric intake.
And if you are planning to maintain a zero-carbohydrate diet, you also need to know the drawbacks if you plan on doing this for a long time.
The Keto diet is a popular choice for individuals trying to lose weight. Those who do a ketogenic diet don’t consume carbohydrates in their meals. According to a study, not eating carbohydrates can spike the body’s cortisol level. Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone that signals the body to store body fats.
I’m trying to eat less, but I stopped losing weight?
A lot of people complain about not losing weight even if they are eating less food. Many are wondering why this is happening. One of the reasons this happened is because people developed a sluggish metabolism by losing their muscle mass.
According to experts, muscle burns more calories than body fats. A rough estimate is that 1 kilogram of muscle burns 10 to 15 calories per day. Also, for a person with 20% body fat, muscle contributes 20% of total daily energy expenditure while body fat only contributes 5%.
When is the best time to take whey supplements?
Whey supplements are popular among gym-goers. Some prefer taking whey supplements before while others take them during their workout or after. So when is the best time to take your whey supplement?
Though it depends on your goal, the best time will still have to be after your workout. This is the time when muscles need protein to recover. This can help minimize muscle catabolism as whey protein supplements are readily absorbed by the muscles. Some companies even include branched-chain amino acids and proprietary enzymes to improve absorption.
But for anyone planning to use whey protein as a substitute for real food, this isn’t a good idea.
My cholesterol is a bit high, should I stop eating meat?
Some people with high cholesterol think that getting rid of meat is always the answer. What usually happens is that cholesterol tends to end up in your arteries instead of being distributed in your body. One thing that you can do is to increase your fiber intake. Eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and you could possibly see your cholesterol level go down.
And if when it comes to eating meat, stick with white meat rather than red meat. Plus, you can also incorporate fish into your diet.
How much water should I consume daily?
Water should be a staple in anyone’s diet. Come to think of it, the body is composed mostly of water. Water is needed by the body to perform its functions. As a rule of thumb, stick to drinking at least 2 liters of water a day. It’s also expected that you will drink more water if you are an active individual.
Do I need to count calories to lose weight?
A lot of people are obsessed with the number of calories that they consume daily. Is this necessary? In reality, there are a lot of other factors that can contribute to weight loss aside from eating fewer calories. Those who lack sleep tend to even gain weight even if they are eating fewer calories.
The bottom line is that you don’t need to count calories. You can stick to eating on a small plate to make your mind think that you’ve finished your meal. Or perhaps, drink a glass of water before eating.
I get hungry all the time after I exercise?
It’s common for people to get hungry especially after a workout. This is common especially since your body is most likely still burning calories after an intense session. It’s your body’s way of telling you that you need to eat. During this stage, be sure to choose wisely. Take protein-rich meals to curb hunger pangs and to develop muscles.
And for some, it’s a good idea to space out meals every few hours. Not only do you give your body time to digest your food, but this can also promote a faster metabolism.
Final Thoughts
A lot of people have misconceptions about nutrition. Some tend to deprive their body of food while others tend to not see good results. With these questions answered, hopefully, you’ll be able to see better results whether it’s your goal to bulk up, lose weight, or just stay healthy.