Carbohydrates are the main source of energy which is needed by our body for normal functioning and muscle exertion.

They are necessary to assist in digestion and assimilation of other foods.

Carbohydrates provide us with calories which can be used immediately to produce energy.

They are the basis of health.

Carbohydrates fuel the cells of our blood, body and brain.

All carbohydrates are converted by the body into simple sugar (glucose, fructose), then small portion converted to glycogen to be stored in the liver and muscles to be used later during activity.

However, excess is converted into fat and stored in the body as reserved energy sources.

When fat reserves are converted back to glucose and used for energy, weight loss arises.

The prime objective is to reduce total kilojoule intake to a level that will help to lose about a half to one kilogram a week consistently.

Consistency is king (or queen)!.

Depending on individual requirements, targets and risk factors, a 5-10% weight reduction from existing body weight would be the first goal.

At this level, it has been shown to quite dramatically decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in people who are predisposed to it.

A diet is not about deprivation.

The first dietary guidelines is to enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods.

The Japanese variant suggests people should have at least thirty (30) different foods in a day.

This is the basis of achieving a good level of vitamins and minerals.

Depending on a person's health, this may not be the ideal level, however.

In addition, there are many other chemicals in food, of course, that we are only yet discovering.

In fact, there are more than 100,000 chemical additives in the past century.

Research identifies that those who have the genes for obesity, regardless of their food intake, will become heavier than the average person.

Following a healthy eating pattern is not the panacea - physical activity becomes a guiding force in the attempts to manage their Metabolic Symdrome state.

Clear and specialised advice on diet is extremely important.

This does not necessarily mean eating less, however, it does mean addressing the types of foods that are eaten, which can augment management of high blood glucose, blood fats and blood pressure.

Patients will often refute the cost of healthier food choices.

However, a very extensive survey, of some 5000 foods in one of Australia's largest supermarkets compared the healthy versus less healthy options.

The results indicated that one can certainly find good quality, healthy foods at a reasonable cost.