PHOTO BY HALLE LANG
How would serious calorie deficiency affect one’s body?
When you don’t consume enough calories to satisfy your basal metabolic rate, which is the amount of calories your body uses when it is at rest, your metabolism slows down in order to conserve energy. In severely deficient states, your body will actually start to break down your muscle tissue in order to get the energy it needs to function. Calorie deficits may lead to some weight loss, but it is definitely not sustainable long term.
Why should you try and stay away from added sugars?
It’s more important to be mindful of how much sugar you are consuming rather than trying to avoid it altogether. Glucose is the body’s primary source of energy, so sugar in itself is not the culprit. The issue lies with the massive amounts of added sugars that we consume in the processed foods that Americans typically eat. Quantity should be the main focus when it comes to sugar.
Why should someone try and stay away from the keto diet?
The ketogenic diet, defined simply, is a very low carb, high fat diet. n time, your body begins burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. It was originally adopted by people who have epilepsy when it was associated with some beneficial effects in managing seizures, however recently it has become hugely popular because of its weight-loss effects. It is an extremely challenging diet to maintain for long periods of time due to its restrictiveness, so it is really only good for short term weight-loss. When those on the keto diet go back to eating carbs, they will likely gain the weight back. All that extra fat intake could possibly have other adverse health effects.
What should be the average intake of vegetables and fruits?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruits daily. Servings are typically 1/2 cup, or a whole piece of fruit such as an apple or banana would also count as one serving.
Why you shouldn’t go on a diet, but more so make a lifestyle change.
Often people think of a diet as “short term”, whether it be for weight loss or other health improvements. These quick fixes tend to not last, especially if they are very restrictive. It’s more effective to make small changes in your diet that, over time, will turn into healthy eating habits. Those habits will have more of a lasting effect on your overall health than a low-fat diet that you went on for a couple weeks. I think it is important to make our health a long-term goal, not a short-term one.
Would Paleo-vegan, “pegan” diet be a good diet?
The Pegan diet is one that I have not heard a lot about but I found that it was a combination of a paleo diet, which eliminates things like processed foods, refined sugar, dairy, grains, and legumes, and a vegan diet, which eliminates consumption of all products that come from animals including meat, dairy, and eggs. Personally, I think it is a good learning experience to try different ways of eating to see how it makes your body feel. Everyone is different, so try new things and see what makes you feel the best without depriving yourself. We should be focusing on fueling up with the healthy foods that allow us to maximize our body’s potential.
Quotes from Skylar Prusa
