Fat foods provide calories

Food provides us with calories and helps in the normal functioning of the body. Energy is measured in terms of protein calories and fat calories. Fat is stored in the body for times of need, when it is broken down, though excess is harmful. Fat calorie is the amount of calories contributed by a gram of fat (1 gram of fat provides 4 calories).  Fat burning or expending the extra fat is possible by hastening the metabolism process. This is possible by exercise, balanced diet and weight loss supplements.

A weight loss diet involves foods with moderate protein and low fat. Complex carbohydrates, in the form of dietary fiber, are vital for losing the extra pounds. Choice of right kind of foods helps in shedding the extra weight in an effective manner. Obesity weight loss techniques involve maintenance of a food diary, calorie counting and regular workout. Workout in the form of swimming, walking and jogging is of great help. Hitting the gym for a treadmill is equally beneficial. Regular exercise of thirty to forty five minutes, five times a week, results in immediate and obvious results.

Healthy weight loss is a result of regular workout and a strict diet. Weight loss is always wrongly associated with starvation and non-eating; though it is not so. Crash dieting should not be done. Proper intake of correct foods in a specific pattern is a part of healthy weight loss. Avoid saturated fats and replace them with unsaturated forms of fat such as sunflower, groundnut, soy, flaxseed, safflower oil and so on. High fiber foods, such as vegetables and fruits, in addition to whole grains and legumes prove beneficial. Increase the number of meals to six, as this helps in decreasing hunger. The amount of each meal is reduced, which in turn prevents other forms of improper eating, such as binge eating.

Weight loss supplements are available over the counter, though expensive. Many of these pills do not require any prescription. Improper usage results in certain side effects, such as gastro intestinal problems, fainting and diarrhoea. Some of the commonly used weight loss supplements are chitosan, chromium picolinate, bitter orange, ephedra and hoodia gordonii.
Negative calorie foods are those that require more calories for breakdown, rather than what they contribute to the diet. Some of the negative calorie foods are green beans, turnip, asparagus, celery, strawberries, onion, zucchini, papaya, cauliflower, beet, apple, garlic, cucumber, radish and dandelion.