Healthy Weight Loss - How Fast Food Effects Our health

Healthy weight loss programs can benefit individuals yet the most traditional food in America; fast foods and preprocessed foods are not on the menu. Meals containing trans-fats certainly lead to a negative effect on general healthy choices, including weight. There are many side-effects due to poor nutrition such as this. Physicians report greater risk to the development of cardiovascular disease in our youth due to their food intake.

 Other harmful side effects reported are increase in abdominal fat, insulin resistance and body mass index.Effects on Health:Fast food is taking its toll on our American youth as seen in the promotion of weight gain and increasing risk to the incidence of Type 2 diabetes. Excessive calories are a significant issue with the high concentration of refined sugar and fats.

The use of hydrogenated oils which are repeatedly reheated for the preparation of processed food also affects blood vessel health. It doesn't show up just in the time of youth, but grows and is a major contributor to health issues as we age.The high concentration of compounds like sodium increases blood pressure affecting the heart.

 Fast food ingredients are not nutritionally balanced and lack presence of essential micronutrients. High sodium intake has been indicated in the pathology of kidney and liver diseases. Healthy weight loss and good nutrition, or health and wellness, must be initiated in the fast meal generation to lower risk of obesity and the complications that go with it.Risk to Obesity:The regular consumption of fast food increases risk to obesity.

 Chronic obesity promotes disease conditions like hyper lipidemia, heart disease and malignancy. "Approximately 30.3 percent of children (ages 6 to 11) are overweight and 15.3 percent are obese. For adolescents (ages 12 to 19), 30.4 percent are overweight and 15.5 percent are obese" according to the American Obesity Association.Studies have indicated that regular intake of fast prepared food can add about six pounds of extra weight per year per child. The tendency to eat fast food limits the intake of healthy food in children.

 Obviously there needs to be a reduction in the frequency of fast food consumption to bring about healthy weight loss and good nutrition. Well balanced family meals should include foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains and proteins by the children, teens and the rest of the family as well. Children learn healthy choices by what they see, not by what we say.General Health Risks:Fast snack meals increase glycemic levels at a higher rate affecting insulin levels. The rise in insulin levels from fast food can predisposes the young to go from weight gain to obesity. Certain research studies have indicated higher risk to asthma as well. It can initiate an addictive eating behavior increasing risk to coronary artery disease and high cholesterol conditions.High serum concentration of cholesterol can clog arteries promoting risk to cerebral and cardiovascular accidents.

 Excess intake of fast food in the young or old alike shifts them towards malnutrition. The deficiency of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals occur when anyone's meals consist of fast foods, sugars and fats.Optimum Nutrition:Fast food meals should be replaced by natural dietary ingredients like salads, fresh fruit juices and milk. This can help cut down on fat and calorie intake. Lean meats and fish can be incorporated in food plan to provide for necessary protein intake.

For vegetarians they can use combinations of beans, rice and other grains as well as tofu food products.A high fiber diet can help achieve healthy weight loss in obese individuals. Soluble and insoluble fibers promote heart and digestive health. Whole grains, fiber cereal, certain fruits, vegetables, beans and flax can help maintain healthy weight loss programs in the young individuals.

Weight loss isn't everything unless it is done with a health and wellness plan on all levels. Healthy choices is a long term success plan.EzineArticles.com by Tana_Ann_Hamiter.
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