Obesity is a serious and growing problem in the United States. According to the CDC, 35.7% of American adults are obese. Poor eating habits are a major contributor to obesity; by developing an awareness of these habits, you can take steps to improve your health.
Overeating is a top contributor to obesity. To gain weight, you must take in more calories than you burn each day. When you eat too much and exercise too little over an extended period of time, it becomes a lifestyle; in doing so, you put yourself at high risk for obesity.
If you're like many Americans, you skip breakfast. Unfortunately, this habit can contribute to obesity. When you don't eat breakfast, you tend to overeat later in the day to make up for it. In addition, failing to eat breakfast forces your body to suppress insulin, causing your body to store fat.
A high consumption of processed foods can also lead to obesity. Processed foods usually contain high levels of fat, sugar, calories, and unhealthy preservatives. In addition, they often contain a range of chemicals that can affect your body's natural functions. Over time, a high consumption of processed foods can cause you to become obese. Processed foods include:
- Chips
- Soda
- Ice cream
- Frozen meals
- Cookies
It is easy to buy prepackaged foods. They are convenient and are great for people who are on the go. However, take a look at the packaging in the labeling. If the label of its contents is a long paragraph, then you should start wondering what it is that you're investing into your body. Certainly, plant base food diet are the best, but often very difficult for patients to do. A discussion with the with the register dietitian can help you quite aMany people, particularly busy professionals, fail to eat an adequate variety of food. By limiting your food intake to a few food groups, you are denying your body the nutrients it needs to function effectively. If you eliminate vegetables, for example, you won't get the fiber that helps you stay full and satisfied. Another important point, is that it is a good idea to consume 64 to 96 fluid ounces of water daily, unless you have some sort of medical contraindication to do so.
