What is the treatment?
Having a healthy diet is not only limited to childhood. Even though growth and development stops after a certain age, one's body still needs the right nutrients in the right amount to stay healthy, active and fit. While exercising can help in achieving fitness, it is impossible for anyone to be at the peak of their health without following the right diet. Hence, following a good diet is extremely crucial. To define diet, it can be referred to as sum of foods consumed by living organisms in order to survive. Diets can be either good or bad, depending on the kind of food one puts into his or her body. That's not all, dietary preferences can vary to a great extent too and are dependent on the region or the culture to which a person belongs. All in all, a healthy diet should be comprised of vitamins, proteins, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, carbohydrate, fat, energy and other essential minerals. These when ingested and absorbed by the body ensure its normal functioning and even help in the prevention of certain diseases and conditions such as obesity and obesity-related diseases (diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol etc.), fatigue, malnourishment, weakness and so and so forth. Sometimes diet is also recommended as a treatment method, particularly in the case of weight-related issues such as being overweight or underweight. In the case of other diseases or conditions, a specific diet may be prescribed to help speed up the heeling process.
How is the treatment done?
When it comes to diet as a treatment for being either overweight or underweight, individuals will have to be particular about what they put into their bodies. A weight management diet will typically be prescribed by either a doctor or fitness expert and will vary depending upon the specific case of a person. However, some amount of generalization can be done. For example, the diet for an overweight individual would be focused on cutting down calories, especially those consumed through junk and processed foods, so that a healthy weight can be achieved. Overweight individuals will also be asked to increase their vitamin B intake as it helps in converting fat, carbohydrate and protein into energy. Other recommendations may include increasing vitamin C and D intake, consuming foods rich in catechin to help speed up the fat burning process, eating foods loaded with iodine to help the thyroid function normally and aid in weight loss and having plenty of calcium and zinc rich foods. All of this aid in weight loss in a healthy way. As for underweight individuals, a diet with frequent meals thrown in is recommended by experts. Those who are underweight are also supposed to eat foods rich in nutrients such as whole-grain breads, pastas, lean proteins, dairy products and seeds and nuts. Smoothies and shakes loaded with natural sources of sugar are also recommended instead of fizzy drinks and caffeine. In the cases of disease-specific diets, the meal plan recommended can vary to a great degree depending on the disease. That said, the right diet is important even for a healthy individual.
Who is eligible for the treatment? (When is the treatment done?)
While patients of diet-related problems as well as those suffering from eating disorders are definitely eligible candidates for a strict diet plan, perfectly healthy individuals need to follow a good diet so that they can maintain their good health.
Who is not eligible for the treatment?
In case individuals suffer from any type of food allergy, especially that food which is an essential part of the meal plan, one should consult with their dietitian. Apart from food allergies, there's no other criteria that can deem anyone ineligible for a healthy diet.
Are there any side effects?
Apart from side effects caused by food allergies, there are no side effects caused by a good diet. However, a bad diet (that full of junk foods and other unhealthy items) can cause a host of diseases such as obesity and more.
What are the post-treatment guidelines?
There are no post-treatment guidelines one has to follow when it comes to diet, since following the right diet is a life-long process.
How long does it take to recover?
In case a person has been prescribed a diet for medical reasons, it can take a few weeks to a few months for the effects to show. In other cases, there's no recovery period as far diet is concerned since following a good diet is necessary everyday.
Are the results of the treatment permanent?
The results of a good diet manifest their positive effects throughout the extent of one's life.
What are the alternatives to the treatment?
The right diet has no alternatives. However, it should be combined with the right exercises so that individuals can reap maximum benefits.
