Lose Weight Safely
Losing Weight Safely - As Told on The FDA's website.
If You're Overweight, Slim Down for Better Health
Overweight people have an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other illnesses. Losing weight reduces the risk. This brochure tells you how to lose weight safely.
Ask Your Doctor About Sensible Goals
Your doctor or other health worker can help you set sensible goals based on a proper weight for your height, build and age.
Men and very active women may need up to 2,500 calories daily. Other women and inactive men need only about 2,000 calories daily. A safe plan is to eat 300 to 500 fewer calories a day to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week.
Exercise 30 Minutes
Do at least 30 minutes of exercise, like brisk walking, most days of the week.
The idea is to use up more calories than you eat. You need to use up the day's calories and some of the calories stored in your body fat.
Eat Less Fat and Sugar
This will help you cut calories. Fried foods and fatty desserts can quickly use up a day's calories. And these foods may not provide the other nutrients you need.
Make sure your other foods that day are low in fat and calories.
Eat a Wide Variety Of Foods
Variety in the diet helps you get all the vitamins and other nutrients you need.
Watch Out for Promises of Quick And Easy Weight Loss
Fad diets aren't good because they often call for too much or too little of one type of food. As a result, you may not get important nutrients you need daily.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true.
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that makes sure foods are safe, wholesome and honestly labeled.
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane (HFI-40)
Rockville, MD 20857
