Nutrition and Diet for Weight Loss

Quite simply, obesity results when more calories are consumed than are burned by the body over a long period of time.

Contributing to many Americans’ obesity or overweight condition are the combined effects of insufficient exercise and a high-calorie diet.

Guidelines for Good Nutrition and Weight Loss

The National Institutes of Health recommends that patients educate themselves on several nutritional issues to help manage their own diet and nutrition. The basic recommended guidelines for a healthy diet and good nutrition for weight loss include the following:

• Reducing the number of calories in the daily diet
• Eating smaller portions as part of the diet
• Tracking meal composition, portion sizes, and nutritional content of the diet
• Learning methods of food preparation for a healthy diet5
• Choosing nutritious meals that are lower in fat4
• For more information: Nutrition and Diet Tips

Patients who reduce caloric consumption in their diet slowly but consistently are usually the most successful in maintaining their weight loss. Steady, controlled progress during a diet and weight loss program is generally more effective than sporadic and inconsistent changes in caloric intake and portion sizes.

Proper Hydration and Weight Loss

It is commonly recommended that patients drink at least 8 large cups of water throughout each day. Drinking enough water is essential for a healthy back, as water transports nutrients and eliminates wastes in the body.6

The discs are comprised mostly of water and need to stay hydrated so that nutrients and fluids can be properly exchanged within the spinal structures. For patients undergoing exercise and dieting for weight loss, drinking adequate amounts of water helps the body to metabolize fat and avoid water retention.

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