An easy, and quick way to cut the calories, stay healthy and lose some of that fat, is through the use of a liquid diet. The only question is, if liquid diets really do offer that healthy alternative as compared to cooking your own nutritious meals and following a balance meal plan?
Liquid diets have become very popular in the past few years. It is mostly since people are so busy. Their hectic lives and the option to go for something that is not time-consuming, complicated and healthy will be appealing. Liquid diets seems to offer that. Plus, they are a way to consume portion controlled and simple meals.
But there are different types of liquid diets. There are the commercial brands like Herbalife and Slim-Fast that as easy available. In addition, there are other brands like Ensure that are now expanding their market – from their hospital base to people’s groceries cupboards. These type of liquid diets were aimed for patients that were hospitalized to keep up a healthy weight.
When people look at a liquid diet, then it is normally to lose some weight or to be healthy. Moreover, these liquid diets can be an easy way for people to jump-start their weight loss diet. However, these products are not for long-term use, as the action of using them in the long-term will be counterproductive.
In addition, this sort of diet could be effective. So long as there are some lifestyle changes, then you will also be able to keep the weight off. Especially since these sort of diets, offer the convenience of use and regulating calories.
There should also be mentioned that supplements like those that the liquid diets are not regulated like food are regulated. The problem is that some of these products contain ingredients that are harmful if used extensively and in the long-term. Nutritional deficiencies could develop if the supplement lacks some of the key nutrients.
There should also remembered that out bodies are meant to eat, chew and digest whole foods. A liquid diet does not allow this process to go ahead.
In addition, your body might not register the calories the way you do with solid foods. So you might consume more than solid foods.
Plus, a liquid diet does not offer the chewing and swallowing, which makes you feel satisfied.
Moreover, you cannot stay too long on a liquid diet. Therefore, while you are on one, you need to make sure that one that you are using has all the minerals and vitamins you need. In addition, that it has enough protein, fat and fiber in it. The types of liquid diets you should avoid are those that contain added herbs and caffeine. That is since these can have interactions. Thus, those type of liquid diets are seen as unhealthy.
But, if you are unsure, ask a nutritionist which will be able to guide you to the one you could be using. In addition, you could always make sure that your supplement has been verified to be safe by an independent foundation outside the supplement manufacturer, for instance Consumer Lab.
On the other hand, you should know that liquid diets and juice cleanses are different. Juice cleanses are low in calories, and protein. The lead to water loss and muscle loss in the body, not so much fat loss. In addition, once you go back to normal food you will just gain all the weight back.
In addition, the very low calories can in reality cause metabolism to slow down that can make it tougher to lose weight. Just like any liquid diet, if it aids you to make a break with bad eating habits and you are truly committed to long-term diet change, a couple of days on a juice cleanse likely won’t hurt, but it certainly is not essential.
