How to Plan a Healthy Diet
January 20, 2009 by The TBH Team
Filed under Nutrition, Weight Loss
It may not sound complicated to start a healthy diet, but there is more to know than you may think. Properly planned, a healthy diet will provide all of the essential nutrients it needs, assist in keeping you at a healthy weight, defend against illness, and give your body the energy it needs to get through your day. Other than weight loss and maintenance, a healthy diet also helps regulate mood, sleep cycles and general health. Here are a few tips to begin on a new and healthier diet.
First, you should eliminate or severely curtail saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol and sodium. This will mean avoiding fried foods and some foods which you may even think of as healthy ones. Some other foods you’ll want to avoid include most cereals, crackers and prepared soups- these tend to be high in sodium. Be sure to read the nutritional information labels on foods before buying. The biggest part of a healthy diet should be fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and small amounts of fat-free dairy and very lean meats. Fresh foods give our bodies the nutrients they need – meaning that you don’t need those synthetic products. A diet rich in fresh, natural foods also has plenty of fiber, which helps in losing weight and regulating cholesterol levels.
High fiber foods also improve the function of the digestive system, can increase metabolism and also make us feel fuller. This means you’ll have less urges for in between meal snacks and eat smaller portions at meal times. Protein rich foods have a similar effect; you should get plenty of fiber and protein at each meal. These tips will give you a good basis for starting a healthy diet.
