When choosing the right diet for you it is important that you consider what calorie level is appropriate for you. Is the diet that you are considering to take nutritionally balanced? Will this diet be pratical and easy to follow? Is the diet better suited for short-term weight loss or will the diet be maintainable for the rest of your life? The below information will show you what to look out for in a diet.
What to consider when choosing a Diet
Make sure that your diet contains all the essential nutrients for good health. Using the Food Guide Pyramid and the Nutrition Facts Label that is found on most processed food products can help you choose a healthful diet. The Pyramid shows you the kinds and amounts of food that you need each day for good health. The Nutrition Facts Label will help you select foods that meet your daily nutritional needs.
The basic steps to good nutrition come from a diet that:
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helps you either lose weight or keeps your Body Mass Index (BMI) in the "healthy" range.
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is balanced overall, with foods from all food groups, with lots of delicious fruits, healthy vegetables, whole-grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
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is low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Keep total fat intake between 20 to 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.
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includes a variety of grains daily, especially whole-grains, a good source of fiber.
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includes a variety of fruits and vegetables (two cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables per day are recommended for a 2,000 calorie diet).
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has a small number of calories from added sugars (like in candy, cookies, and cakes).
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has low sodium diet prepared with foods with less sodium or salt (aim for no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, or about one teaspoon of salt per day).
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does not include more than one drink per day (two drinks per day for men) if you drink alcoholic beverages.
So, you ask, how do people lose 20 pounds in one month or 300 pounds in one year (actual published testimonials)? The answer is – that most of such rapid weight loss is not fat. It is lean tissue – muscle (it take less that 1,000 Calories to burn a pound of muscle) and to a small degree it will be water weight loss and excess waste stored in the colon. |
