Eat healthy and lose weight, right? Wrong. When Americans were recently asked how they were trying to lose weight, the majority of individuals reported that they were making healthier food choices. So, if Americans are eating “healthier," why is two-thirds of our population overweight or obese? The fact is, weight management is based on the simple principle of calories in versus calories out. If you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. The opposite is true in that if you consume fewer calories than you burn each day, you will lose weight.

For example, if you eat a diet consisting of a piece of chocolate cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you will probably lose weight. Why? Because you would be consuming fewer calories a day than your body is burning. So why not just jump on the junk food bandwagon? The answer is simple: it is important to remember that the food we put in our bodies effects more than our weight. Choosing foods such as candy, chips and soda in small portions may not lead to weight gain, but at the same time they are not promoting optimum nutrition.

By adding foods that are more nutrient and less calorically dense you can benefit your health by preventing or managing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. The fiber in cereal that helps lower our cholesterol, the antioxidants in fruit that helps to prevent certain types of cancers and the calcium in yogurt that helps promote strong bones are all examples of how food can improve our lives. The catch is, if we consume too many calories, even from these nutritious foods, we will gain weight.

So, how do we determine what foods and in what amounts are essential to our diet and health, and which foods are just putting on the pounds? The first step is determining how many actual calories we burn each day. Metabolic testing can provide us with a profile that includes how many calories our bodies need each day to promote a healthy weight. It is then the job of a dietitian to evaluate the results of the metabolic test and translate this information into a personalized meal plan. Gone are the days of counting calories and trying to maneuver the maze of health food gimmicks. For more information about metabolic testing and personal meal planning, call The Med Spa at Daireds at 817.465.9797 for a complimentary 15 minute consultation.