What is the Difference Between a Diet and Dieting?
Diet is the process of adjusting one’s diet to reduce or increase the quantity of a nutrient, usually in the form of a food supplement. In nutrition, dietary diet is the total amount of food ingested by an individual or other living thing. The term diet can also refer to a number of specific types of diets, such as low-fat, low-carb, diabetic, vegetarian, raw, and many others. The word “diet” comes from the Greek word which means “to adjust, regulate”. Dieting, therefore, refers to the adjustment of one’s diet in order to avoid weight gain or weight loss.
One of the primary purposes of a good diet is to improve the body’s metabolism and overall health by adjusting the intake of food. Diets can include eating a wide variety of foods while consuming a reduced amount of calories or fat. A well-balanced diet consists of foods that are low in fat and calories while still providing a healthy, nutrient-rich diet for the individual.
The types of foods that an individual eats depend on their age and physical condition. Young children are advised to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Older people, however, should eat more foods high in fiber, protein, and carbohydrates. For those who are pregnant, a doctor or nutritionist should be consulted before beginning a particular diet.
A dietitian can help the individual determine the proper balance of carbohydrates and fats that they need to have in their diet. The food items that a dietitian recommends should be chosen to provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients necessary for the proper development and maintenance of a healthy body. In addition to choosing the right foods, the dietitian will evaluate the individual’s medical conditions and the amount of calories and fats that they need in order to achieve their optimal health. The dietitian may also advise the individual on the best ways to balance the amount of calories and fat that they consume with the other nutrients necessary for good health.
For instance, someone with diabetes is advised to eat foods that are low in carbohydrates and fats while eating a high amount of carbohydrates and proteins. Individuals with heart disease or other health problems, however, should only eat foods that are rich in protein and low in fat while eating a small amount of carbohydrates. For people who suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension or cancer, the type of food that a dietitian suggests should be avoided entirely is all those containing too much saturated fats, trans fats, or hydrogenated oils.
Some foods that are low in calories but contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals are good for weight loss. The same foods, however, can also be unhealthy if consumed in excess. Therefore, it is important to do your own research and to choose the foods that you would want to eat, while avoiding those that might lead to health problems if eaten too much.