Nutrition and weight management

Energy:

At a basic level, the energy we receive from our food equates to weight gain, loss or maintenance. There is an amount of energy that we use from carbohydrates, fats and proteins that maintains our energy requirements. Our requirements are based on our gender, age, height, weight and lifestyle. If we eat below this number, we lose weight. If we eat above it, we hain weight. If we eat around about our need. then our weight stays relatively steady.

Nutrients:

When we eat a balanced diet and receive a good balance of nutrients into our body, then our body’s systems are better capable of managing a healthy weight.

Why?

• A healthy balanced diet is more filling, which helps us to not overeat.
• Our gut is healthier because fibre and a good balance of nutrients keeps it healthy so that we can continue to absorb and process food and nutrients effectively and use these nutrients in our body. The flow on effect of healthy food, put simply, optimises our body systems to keep us healthy. therefore,
• A healthy body is better prepared for movement and exercise, which helps us to manage our weight.
• Our brain is healthier from good nutrition, meaning it is also more capable of making healthy choices. 
• A healthier body and brain is less stressed and less likely to suffer from mental health concerns. This means we are more likely to make better health and nutrition choices that impact our health.
• Reducing and removing added sugars supports our body to better manage our blood glucose, and have more stable insulin responses in the body. This makes it easier for our body to lose weight.
• Better nutrition leads to better hormonal regulation. Hormonal regulation is impaired in obese people. Improved nutrition will support getting hormones on track that affect metabolism, regulates satiety and hunger signals, and manage fat storage.