People often mistake diets with nutritional programs and misuse the terms in regards to context and concept. Even though these terms might sometimes bear the same meaning, they refer to different things.
Did you do the same mistake? Do you think they are the same? Are you caught up in the “diet vs nutritional program” debate?
Let us take a look into each one of them and understand what it entails in order for you to start a healthier lifestyle.
What is a diet?
The term diet is mistakenly associated with weight loss, and in turn, is defined by avoiding and limiting certain kinds of foods. This misconception led people away from following diets since they became a source of annoyance and deprivation from foods they like.
In reality, diets are only about the way we eat. There are several diets for people to follow; each includes certain foods and serves a particular purpose.
Some types of diets
There are many types of diets out there for you to explore and choose from according to your condition and what you wish to achieve, to name a few:
Mediterranean Diet
This diet type is a great choice to enhance your health and boost your energy; it demonstrated promising results in handling cardiovascular issues and preventing type II diabetes.
It constitutes many essential nutrients like olive oil, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fish, and some vegetables.
Low-Carbs Diet
People commonly follow his type for weight loss purposes without food deprivation. The central concept behind it is for the body to use fats as an energy source instead of carbohydrates.
It includes foods with low carbohydrate levels and high proteins and fats levels. The fatty acids are transferred through the blood to the liver to turn them into ketones, which the body uses as an energy source.
In rare cases, this diet may result in non-diabetic ketoacidosis, so it is essential to consult a nutrition expert before following it.
Vegan Diet
Most people follow this diet as an anti-animal cruelty movement; they avoid eating meat and all animal-derived products like dairy and eggs.
This diet demonstrated significant weight loss results since it involves low levels of fats and high fiber levels, giving the sensation of being full.
Some sources reported that this diet could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes. However, it is low on many vital nutrients, like vitamin B12, vitamin D, Iodine, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Omega-3, and fatty acids.
What is a nutritional program?
Nutrition is essential at all life stages, providing growth and development factors when young, energy as growing up, and toxins removal to encounter aging symptoms.
The nutritional program refers to the quality and quantity of foods needed by the body daily to achieve its superior functionality, including carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, and fibers.
Generally speaking, the nutritional program should offer the body the following substances daily:
- 30% proteins.
- 40% complex carbohydrates.
- 30% Healthy fats (Omega-3 and fatty acids).
- 2 – 4 liters of water.
- Adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Some ideal nutritional programs include dark leafy vegetables, whole grains, raw nuts, seeds, salmon, blueberries, oatmeal, and avocado.
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Diets VS Nutritional Program:
The first step towards a healthier life is to realize the difference between diets and nutritional programs.
For starters, change your unhealthy diet; avoid fast food, canned goods, processed foods, and replace them with healthier types. Then, you can enhance your nutritional program according to your diet’s requirements; if you choose to go for local organic food, for instance, then you can rely on a program rich with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
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