What is the Federal Government's Take on Weight Loss
What is the Federal Government's Take on Weight Loss
You may be surprised what the federal government has to say
about weight loss. The National Institutes of Health has some
interesting ideas about what it takes to trim the fat. You may
find that a number of these ideas conflict with what you've been
hearing in the popular press.
For instance, you may have read that consuming red meat makes
it more difficult for you to shed pounds. Actually, lean meat
can be a critical component of a diet. While red meat, chicken,
and pork may have cholesterol and saturated fat, they also have
important minerals such as iron and zinc. However, when eating
meat, you should try to make sure that it is low in fat. You can
choose from sirloin tip, round steak, and flank steak. You
should also be aware of proper portion sizes--the average
portion should be the size of a billfold folded over.
You may have heard that dairy products are fattening. However,
low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese have all the nutrients of whole
milk products, with fewer calories and less fat. Dairy products
are particularly beneficial for their calcium, protein, and
vitamin D content. According to federal guidelines, children,
teenagers, and senior citizens should have three servings of
milk products each day, while adults age 19 to 49 should have
two helpings daily. A serving would consist of a single cup of
milk or yogurt, or 1