There is insufficient motivation if your dieting goal is just to lose weight.

Most people go through dieting to lose or reach a desirable weight. You might associate being thin and slim to looking better in your jeans or swimsuit. You then develop eating habits that restrict food intake and avoiding or consuming particular foods or beverages. You either make it or you don't.

You need to have a different paradigm or mindset about food and health. Think instead of lowering blood cholesterol and improving your heart. Go on a diet as a practice for healthy living.

Unless you decide to disassociate restricting your food intake for the purpose of weight loss alone, you are going to go through what Henry Blackburn describes above.

A healthy food intake should focus on preventing heart attacks, stroke and other manifestations of cardiovascular disease.

Poor and improper eating habits can cause illness and many other discomforts that affect your daily activities and concentration. Think down the road how practicing eating nutritious food will save on your health care costs. Neglect in this area will affect your emotional level too.

How would your body react if your were thin and emaciated but lack nutrition? Malnutrition causes lack of certain nutrients that will affect your body function and mental alertness. When you lack stamina, vibrancy and energy, it is as bad as a fat person who is unable to climb the stairs.

Helpful health tips on dieting for soundness of mind and body.

• Create healthy food combination choices.

Get smart with your food combination. Choose food that when combined are easily digestible. Incompatible food combination causes stomach upsets, digestive disorders and gas.

An example of a healthy and recommended food combination is having your protein meal with mix with salad and vegetables instead of starchy carbohydrates. Your diet of either protein or carbohydrate should always include fruits and vegetables.

It takes a lot of energy to digest unsuitable food combination because of opposites enzymes involved in the digestion process. The energy is best used for physical and mental activities instead.

• Stay away from saturated fat.

High serum cholesterol level happens when you eat too much saturated fat. Saturated fat is the fat that is found in full fat dairy products and animal fat.

Stick with fats that are as liquid as possible at room temperature. Consume low fat milk to avoid the saturated fat.

Excess fat is going to make you feel lethargic and unhealthy. Your movements become limited and so does your overall health.

• Avoid "miracle" diet programs.

If someone promises you that you can lose weight by swallowing a pill or two, walk away or run as far as you can.

Avoid methods that pledge you to lose weight without any physical effort or a nutritious plan.

Check it out before you are tempted to try with the over-the-counter diet pills. The ingredients may cause side effect that is harmful for your heart. You don't need to add more problems.

• Avoid fast food.

A US study shows that eating fast food more than twice a week has strong links with weight gain and insulin resistance.

• Drink lots of fluids.

Fluids prevent dehydration. Drink lots of nonalcoholic, decaffeinated liquids. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are the best fluids.

Stay away from alcohol as it contributes to dehydration. Drink sports drink instead because it contains some calories, potassium and sodium to give you energy. When you are energized, you get more things done in less time.

• Include food supplements or vitamins.

Feed yourself with food supplements or vitamins according to the recommended dosage especially if your are cutting out certain food intake.

Studies have shown that certain vitamins help build your immune system, increase your mental alertness and help you overcome fatigue.

How and when to eat.

• It is recommended that you avoid food except fruits before going to bed and have your dinner before 9:00 p.m.
• Eat grilled, broiled and steamed or raw food instead of fried.
• Eat your chicken with the skin removed.
• Eat slowly and refrain from talking while you are eating. When you gulp your food, beer or carbonated drinks, you swallow excessive amounts of air and results in gaseous build up. Avoid drinking through a straw for the same reason.

One last tip, get plenty of exercise.

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