Understanding the Science Behind Weight Loss Plans and Healthy Dieting

While millions of Americans can tell you about fad diets like the South Beach Diet or the Atkins Diet, most of them can't tell you whether such diets are scientifically sound. The confusion over the science behind dieting and weight loss has stoked controversy both among health and fitness experts, and lay individuals who want to lose weight.

Look no further than the controversy over the low-carb, high-fat Atkins Diet. Proponents of the high-protein, high-fat diet argued that excessive amounts of fat is actually good for weight loss, arguing that "One can lose weight on a low-calorie diet if it is primarily composed of fat calories or carbohydrate calories or protein calories" (source).

Not so, argued other health experts. The Journal of the American Dietetic Association(JADA) ran a series of health studies and found that the scientific data actually disagreed with the high-fat argument (source).

No wonder that millions of Americans are confused about the science behind weight loss plans. On one hand, you have medical researchers arguing one thing. On the other hand, you have weight loss promoters arguing the exact opposite. In this health and fitness article, I'll discuss the basics of protein, carbohydrates and fat, as well as how these three diet components play a role in healthy, sustained dieting and weight loss. It is critical that dieters understand the science behind their weight loss plans in order for them to make educated, healthy choices about losing weight.

The Scientific Health Basics of Fat, Carbs and Protein in a Diet:

Some of your friends might be telling you that the best way to lose those unwanted fats is by going to the gym. Do you really think this is the best answer? What is true is working out would help you tone those muscles up. You might be wondering why some that goes to the gym for years already but still they keep on complaining about their figure.

A lot of people not going to the gym but is on a diet and have an active lifestyle can see better results than those who are going to the gym. Did I mention the word diet and active lifestyle? Yes! This two are the top most priority for a person that wants to have that body figure of their dreams.

Lets us now answer the question, what makes a person fat. Diet is not a weight loss but by dieting you will be able to maintain a low calorie diet. Do you know that our body needs proteins, carbohydrates and fats? Do you also know that the three I mentioned, we can get calories in them? You might want to know how much calorie each can give you so here let me discuss a little of each.

Proteins:

This is one of the most important of all diet plans. 1 gram of this is equals to calories. So if you will consume at least 40 grams of protein you multiply it by four you will get at least 160 calories. It's a very simple mathematics its like 40 grams protein x 4 = 160 calories. Good thing about proteins our body needs a lot of this so you don't need to worry if eat a lot of protein, have you heard of protein supplement? This is use by person who are going to the gym or persons that has a very active lifestyle.

Carbohydrates (carbs):

Like the protein, 1 gram of carbs is equals to 4 calories so if you are eating 20 grams of carbs multiply by four that would be 80 calories. Almost all food has carbs in it so it would be impossible to get away of carbs.

Fats:

Unlike the two, protein and carbohydrates; one gram of fats is equals to 9 calories. So if you eat thirty grams of fats you will get two hundred and seventy calories. That is 30 carbs x 9 = 270 calories. Now you know why most people who are conscious about their figure and health would deprive themselves from eating a lot of fatty foods.

Diet doesn't mean you need to skip meals but it means do not go over the limits. To that very active person they can eat more because they burn more calories but they would choose not too if they are that conscious. But to those who don't have an active lifestyle they should choose to eat less calories. The answer would really depend on the person, it would depend upon you. Just make the right choice and start today!