Do's & Don't of dieting - By Anthony Catanzaro

By Anthony Catanzaro - CEO of Anthony Catanzaro Studios

Check out anthonycatanzaro.com

Throughout my fitness career, I have been bombarded with questions about dieting. What is the best way to lose weight? How do I get rid of my gut? Is the Atkins diet good? Should I eat carbs at all? Should I just eat once a day? And a host of other questions.

Well here it is so get ready, because what you are about to read, will answer all of your questions!

First of all, dieting is the best way to get sick…YES get sick! When you deprive yourself of certain foods, and starve yourself, you weaken your immune system, and when that happens, you become sick. DO NOT DIET instead, EAT HEALTHY! I will explain:

When you eat, your body uses the food you have just eaten, to live. Your body breaks down the foods into minerals and nutrients, which feed the muscles, skin, brain, and organs in your body. Even your bones! So now think about it, how confident would you feel if your body ran on Hot Dogs and other junk foods? That's why learning about what foods are healthy and which are just empty calories is very important. Like I have stated many times, eating four meals a day is perfect: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and one last meal before bedtime.

The first and most important food in life is Protein. Foods that are rich in protein are: Chicken, Turkey, Fish and Beef. I know all of you vegetarians out there are saying, " Well then what am I supposed to eat?" You can substitute protein with: Tofu, Beans & Protein Shakes. Your body is made up of protein, this is why it is so important!

The second most important food is carbohydrates. Without them, your brain will shut down from lack of oxygen. As I always say, God has given us everything we need in this world to survive. That's why everything that grows from the ground is healthy to eat. Carbohydrates come from the ground. That's why the Atkins diet is useless!
Healthy Carbs are Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, and Whole Grain Breads.

The third most important food is Healthy Fat. I know you are saying "How can fat be healthy? Well it is, and without it, you would not be around to read this. There are two kinds of fat that we eat. One is Saturated (Bad), and the other is Unsaturated (Good). When you eat Hot Dogs, Bacon, Mayo & Butter, they contain saturated fat, which in time, will clog up your arteries, and give you that heart attack or stroke that you have been wanting to avoid! Eat only good fat like Olive Oils, Nuts, and Seeds…. again, food from the earth brings life!

The fourth most important food is the last but certainly not the least, is Fiber. This is what the body needs to cleanse itself. When you eat foods that are rich in fiber, your body is more efficiently able to dispose of waste. Also, by consuming fiber, your body feels full and satisfied so that you do not have any cravings. Oatmeal is my miracle food. I eat a bowl twice a day! Fruits like: Apples, Pears and all green vegetables contain fiber. So eat it, its good for you!

So how do I put all of these together? I'll show you how. When you sit down to eat, look at your plate, it should contain 50% protein, 25% carbohydrates, and 25% fat and fiber and that's that!

Eat four meals like this a day, and you will be on your way to a healthier you!