The word "diet" conjures up a lot of different images in people's heads. To some, it is a symbol of a futile attempt to conform to society's ideas about what constitutes a healthy body weight. To others, it is a means of replacing bad eating habits with good ones in order to live a long, healthy life. There is also the matter of how much money one must spend to eat healthy food on a regular basis. This begs the question of whether dieting ends up costing more and whether there are ways to get all your nutrients without breaking your bank account. There are so many kinds of diets of varying levels of effectiveness that it may be hard, if not impossible, to keep track of all of them and how they work. But just because it is hard does not mean it is impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What's the difference between a low-carb diet and a low-fat diet?
A: A low-carbohydrate diet is one that focuses mainly on protein and fat consumption while keeping carbohydrates below a certain number per day. This could be anywhere from as much as 100 carbs per day to as little as 20. Some people have even reported positive short-term results with no carbs at all, but peer-reviewed research on the long-term effects of such a diet still needs to be done. However, the results that scientists have found are encouraging. Meanwhile, a low-fat diet is one that reduces fat consumption while focusing on lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
2. How much does dieting cost?
A: That's difficult to say. Someone who is single will likely pay less for food overall than couples or families. Everybody must eat, so it makes sense that the larger one's family is, the more one will have to pay for food. This is also true when considering the difference in price between organic, grass-fed, hormone-free meats, and the conventional factory farmed kind. One costs less on the price tag, but the other is healthier.
3. Is diet more or less important than exercise?
A: Yes. It is often said that maintaining a healthy body is 80% the result of good eating habits and 20% the result of regular physical exercise. The human body is like a machine, but like a machine, the body needs the right kind of fuel to function properly. All the exercise in the world will not negate an unhealthy diet full of processed simple carbohydrates and chemical-laden fast food meals that are cheap and tasty but bereft of nutritional value.
4. Are diets only for people who are overweight or obese?
A:Not necessarily. Some people may be under the impression that just because they are not overweight or obese, they will never develop any of the health problems that can arise from eating an unhealthy diet. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Some people have allergies that require them to eliminate certain foods from their diets for safety reasons. For instance, some people cannot eat peanuts or other types of nuts because it can send them into a state of anaphylactic shock. This can be fatal if left untreated.
5. Is it possible to save money and still follow a diet?
A: Absolutely. While it is true that eating healthy foods may cost more money in the short term when one takes the cost of individual items into account, it is conceivably possible to end up paying less money in the long run and still follow a diet. One thing all successful dieters have in common is that they cut back on the amount of food they eat in addition to the steps they take to improve the overall quality of their food.
Eating foods that are healthy may seem more expensive than cheap, artificially processed fast food and snack foods in the short-term, but the long-term savings and health benefits from weight reduction and not being sick as often are worth it. Don't be afraid to start a healthy lifestyle today.