What’s your Body Type?
The built of the body is one of the most important determining factors about the type of food to be included in one’s diet.  Different body types have different responses towards nutrition and exercises.
Body types can be broadly classified into three types, viz., ectomorphs, mesomorphs and endomorphs.

Ectomorphs are generally tall and thin. These individuals are not usually prone to weight gain, no matter how much they eat. They make great ballet dancers, long-distance runners, models, basketball players, etc.

Mesomorphs are characterized by their muscular and short stature and usually have stocky arms and legs. They gain weight with ease, but have a difficult time in losing it, especially in losing weight in and around their abdomen. Sports which involves the use of power such as soccer, sprinting events in tracking and field, etc., become the areas of excellence for such people.

Endomorphs are the ones who have the toughest time in losing weight, despite of rigorous exercises and diet programs. They look softer and heavier and tend to carry their maximum weight in their lower extremities.

Eating for your Body Type.
Ectomorphs do not easily gain weight, so it becomes necessary for them to include foods in their diet, which are high in healthy fats. This would help them maintain a healthy body weight and proper muscular growth. So foods you should eat for your body type, in this case, include fish, nuts, olive oil and foods high in complex carbohydrates.  Ideally the diet for ectomorphs should consist of 40% carbohydrates, 40% proteins and 20% healthy fats.

A mesomorphs diet should consist of more healthy fats and less carbs.  The Atkins diet is considered to be the best option for mesomorphs, as it is one of the most effective low-carb diets. 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat should be the comprising factors of the diet for mesomorphs.

Endomorphs have a hard time in shedding their ‘extra kilos’, so a  balanced diet plan, which comprises of foods low in carbs and fats is best.  Eating schedule should be  6 – 7 smaller meals a day, rather than gulping down food during the three large meals of the day.  Refraining from fast food , junk foods’, sugary treats, etc., will greatly help in weight loss.

 Exercise for your Body Type. If you are an ectomorph, then your focus must be towards gaining more calories, as you tend to metabolize food at a higher rate. You must also include foods which can keep you full for a longer period of time.  A mesomorph, should train with moderate to heavy weights.  A proper diet and the right kind of exercise is required.   An endomorph needs strength training and cardiovascular activities for their health to help lose weight more effectively.