There are many notions out there about how to lose body fat. We have tried fad diets, exercise equipment and hypnosis to do it. But, is there a more healthy way to lose fat.

The Science of Losing Weight

Here are a few facts that you might not be aware of. It takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound of fat. That seems like a lot but if you are eating a diet filled with fast food, fatty foods and unhealthy fats, simply changing one meal can bring about a deficit that will help you lose weight.

Also, different foods have different compositions. Fats, protein and carbohydrates all have a different calorie value associated with them. When you eat more fat, for instance, you ingest more calories.

We all have fat on our bodies. Fat cushions our bones and organs, but it can also endanger our health in large amounts. Too much belly fat can lead to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health problems.

Unhealthy Fat Loss

Unhealthy weight loss is no fat loss at all. Actually, diets that ask you to cut fat to less than healthy levels are increasing your fat stores. The body will work to preserve itself from what it perceives as starvation by holding on to the fat it already has stored.

Eating diets with high protein levels and high fat can lead to muscle loss and not fat loss. You could be adding to your fat percentage with the loss of lean muscle.

There is one thing that all dieticians can agree on: It takes time to lose fat. How much time depends on how you go about it. Now, here are some ways to lose fat in a healthy way that you might not have thought about.

* Eat – Skipping meals or not eating enough calories will put the body in starvation mode. Eating several times a day actually stokes the metabolism to keep burning fat for fuel.

* Healthy diet – Avoid as much processed food as you can. It is not good for the body. Animal protein sources contain higher levels of fat than plant sources. Plants also contain fiber which is hard to digest. As it passes through your system, it takes some fat with it. Fiber gives a feeling of fullness that lowers cravings and blood cholesterol.

* Add healthy oils – Healthy oils contain more omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation in the body and increase heart health. Try eating cold water fish, as well as nuts like flaxseed.

* Exercise – While food is a big part of the equation, exercise increases the amount of calories you burn. When the body is filled with wholesome foods, the body will use stored fat to burn for energy, thus reducing your total body fat.

Are you looking to lose fat for good and not muscle? Here are some tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of quick fixes.