Carolyn Robbins: Keep Your Body in Balance

Healthy Eating
How to Keep Your Body in Balance When on a Diet
by Carolyn Robbins, Demand Media

If you are overweight, slimming down is an admirable goal. A loss of even 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can have enormous benefits such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and more stable blood sugar. However, it is important to treat your body with respect and practice safe diet habits to maintain balance in your body systems. Keep your expectations reasonable and approach the diet as a new way of life rather than a quick, cosmetic fix. Talk to your physician before attempting a diet program.

Drink up. If you are exercising as part of your diet -- as you should be -- you'll need more than the usual amount of water to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Steer clear of sugary sports drinks and sodas, and opt for plain water. There is no exact guideline for water consumption, but Harvard School of Public Health recommends a target goal of 11 cups for women and 15 cups for men.

Eat from all the food groups. Many fad diets require you to eliminate carbohydrates or fat. By cutting out an entire food group, you'll miss out on essential nutrients your body needs to function properly. Focus on the foods your body needs -- whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, healthy fats and lean protein -- and cut back on sugar, salt and solid fat.

Eat enough. Your body relies on energy from food to support basic functions such as respiration, digestion and movement. If you restrict your calorie intake too severely, you risk nutrient deficiency and may feel tired, dizzy and depressed. Your calorie requirements depend on your age, gender and activity level. Ask your physician to recommend a calorie intake before you start dieting.

Don't detox. There are any number of recipes for detox drinks and a wide array of laxative teas and products available on the market. The premise of detox diet plans is that you'll feel better and lose weight if you rid your body of toxins. Detoxes are gimmicky and potentially dangerous, according to Harvard Medical School. Trying to "flush out" your system can wreak havoc on the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. Eat well and hydrate properly, and your liver, kidneys and other organs will take care of detoxification.