How to lose weight without dieting: The healthy food swaps that support fat loss
Food swaps may be healthier than abstinence when it comes to weight loss
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Summer diets mainly consist of dramatic calorie deficits and cutting out entire food groups like carbohydrates and sugar.
But ultimately, these extreme measures forge the path to an unhealthy relationship with food.
To avoid going down that path, experts recommend a balanced approach to weight loss.
“Cutting out entire food groups can be detrimental and result in adverse health effects, such as headaches and weakness,” note experts at Second Nature.
A healthy approach to dieting will encourage long-term results
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“Dieting shouldn’t revolve around the principle of eating less.
“Instead, it’s more beneficial to ensure that you eat filling and healthy meals throughout the day to reduce the risk of unhealthy snacking.”
Instead of adhering to unhealthy diets, experts recommend making healthier substitutes throughout the day.
“Sugar-filled snacks can often cause you to become hungrier so it’s essential to be mindful of healthier substitutions to fuel your body while on your weight loss journey," notes Second Nature.
This requires preparation to reduce the risk of impulsively tucking into the wrong foods.
Fill your cupboard with healthy snacks like fruits and nuts for when you feel peckish.
Boiled eggs, hummus, and smoothies are all snacks with an excellent nutritional profile.
Robbie Puddick, registered nutritionist at Second Nature, commented: “Over the past few years, summer diets have transformed into a social media trend.
“When people see the influencers doing detoxes and extreme calorie deficits over the summer, it’s vital to be mindful of the drawbacks of these quick-fix diets.
“Rather than focusing your energy on short-term weight loss, investing your time on a sustainable weight loss journey is more important.
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Nuts and fruit are a healthy alternative
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“Over the next few months, your wellness plant shouldn’t centre around losing weight at an unattainable, and often unhealthy, pace - which is what summer diets ultimately encourage.”
Naturally, healthy doses of exercise throughout the week will also enhance results on the scale.
Second Nature's experts note: “It’s crucial to be aware of how you can incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
“For example, choosing to walk or cycle into work, instead of driving or taking public transport, is a fantastic way to incorporate short yet impactful bursts of exercise into your everyday routine.”