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by Darcy Maher Bunn
With the epidemic of obesity in full swing in the United States, bariatric surgery has become a booming business. But not everyone is comfortable going under the knife even if it means transforming their body from deathly overweight to slim and trim. Their concerns are well founded. Even if you survive the risks associated with any surgery performed under general anesthesia, you aren't out of the woods because after the surgery you have to adhere to the strictest diet you've ever encountered, and there's no cheating or you'll end up right back in the hospital with serious complications.
Thankfully, surgery is not the only answer for fast weight loss. Enter the "very low calorie diet" - a diet of 800-900 calories per day. The key to taking on this type of diet without ill effects to your health is nutrition. But you don't have to be a dietician to craft the perfect balance of nutrients for a very low calorie diet. Meal replacing supplements, ranging from shake mixes to bars to puddings and soups, are formulated to meet the right balance to maintain good health while quickly shedding pounds. How fast? On average, 2-5 pounds a week, though it is not uncommon for a participant in such a program to lose 10 or 12 or even more pounds in a week.
There is one nutrient that stands out as especially critical to the dieter undertaking a fast weight loss program: potassium. Critical to maintaining the body's electrolyte balance, potassium is key to the functioning of your heart and kidneys. It also plays a crucial role in skeletal function and smooth muscle contraction, and even the digestive system. Meal replacement supplements contain the potassium needed in a very low calorie diet. If you are uncertain the fast weight loss program you are considering is scientifically based in sound nutrition including providing the needed potassium, you should consult your doctor. (As always, you should check with your doctor before undertaking any diet or exercise program, because not everyone is suited to undertake a very low calorie diet.)
Anyone trying to lose weight is familiar with the issue of fluid retention. Enter potassium again... because it balances the effects of sodium, it helps prevent the retention of excess fluids. This is why new products on the market providing "super shots" of potassium-containing yogurt are advertised as being beneficial to those suffering from high blood pressure. And if you are exercising to lose weight, you are also losing potassium when you sweat, so be sure to restore your body's potassium supply.
Fortunately, potassium sources are as close as your produce section in the grocery store, and you probably have some in your kitchen right now. Bananas, apricots, and many other fruits and vegetables provide good sources of potassium as well as other important nutrients - eating them will be calories well spent and an investment in your overall health and will help your body become a strong, fat-burning machine. If you are eating a diet filled with a variety of fresh or frozen natural foods, you may already be doing everything you need to get enough potassium. But if you've been relying on processed diet foods for nutrition, watch out - processing foods can destroy potassium. You may need to pay more attention to getting this important nutrient into your diet.
The bottom line is to be sure that when you are undertaking a weight loss regimen, and especially if you are considering a fast weight loss program, make sure you are receiving the proper nutrition as you slash your calories. Feed your body foods rich with nutrition, making sure every gram is filled with goodness - including potassium. |
