You don't need to look far to find healthful, basic diet foods. Rather than buying expensive diet plans, break your diet down into its individual foods. Look at a food pyramid and start stocking your grocery cart with lean meats, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Reduce your intake of saturated fats and sweets. Combine foods from each group to make a healthful snack or meal.
Colorful Fruits and Vegetables
The more color your fruits and vegetables have in them, the higher the nutrient content they contain. In addition, different colors of vegetables and fruits offer different nutrients you need in your daily food intake, according to Helpguide.org.
For instance, sweet vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, corn, beets and carrots add vitamins, minerals and fiber, as well as satisfying your sweet tooth.
Green vegetables---romaine or Chinese lettuce, broccoli, mustard greens and kale give you potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and vitamins A, C, E and K, according to the Helpguide website.
Fruits give you nutrients and health benefits that taste good. A sweet, juicy orange provides a good percentage of the vitamin C you need daily, while berries have antioxidant properties.
Carbohydrates
Basic carbohydrate foods include whole grains such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, barley and quinoa. One benefit of a healthy carbohydrate is its ability to help you feel full for a longer period of time. The healthy carbs also help keep your blood glucose levels stable, according to the Helpguide website.
When you're looking for whole grains, look for these phrases on the packaging: "100 percent whole wheat," or "whole grain."
Lean Protein
Buy lean cuts of red meat with little marbling, or fat---chicken, turkey, ground turkey and fish. Protein converts into the amino acids your body needs for fuel and to function properly.
The Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid positions protein above fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates and below fats and sweets---if you're worried about eating the wrong kind of protein, concentrate on chicken and fish. Combine these with carbohydrates for a healthful meal, recommends the Mayo Clinic.
Beans and Nuts
Whether you're a vegetarian or not, nuts and beans are a healthy protein choice to add to your diet. Look for black, garbanzo, pinto and navy beans, as well as lentils. Walnuts, almonds, pecans and pistachios are all sources of protein.
When buying nuts, look for the unsalted variety and avoid nuts coated with sugar.
Dairy
Dairy fits in the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid next to protein. You benefit from the vitamin D and calcium contained in foods and beverages such as cheese, milk and yogurt.
You don't need to limit yourself to dairy products to benefit from calcium. Eat dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale; include dried beans in order to increase your intake of calcium, according to the Helpguide website.
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