Dieting is never easy, but an acronym that can help. If you can remember ABCDMV, perhaps by thinking "ABCD--My Victory," you have a key to sensible eating. Each letter stands for a principle that's a key to healthy eating and successful weight loss.
A = Adequacy
The A in this acronym stands for adequacy. In other words, whatever diet plan you choose, You! Fitness notes you need to make sure you are getting an adequate amount of calories and nutrients to give you the energy you need and the vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy body. Radical diets may work for a short period, but to sustain weight loss and health, you need to get enough of the right foods to be successful in the long term.
B = Balance
B stands for balance. Not the kind the helps you stand up straight, but the kind that keeps your diet interesting enough to maintain over a period of time. You not only need to get an adequate amount of food, you need to balance those foods over different food groups. Dip into all layers of the food pyramid and "eat a rainbow" of food items each day to maintain a balanced diet and help keep the diet interesting enough for you to stick with it.
C = Calories
The C in this diet plan stands for the amount of calories you consume each day. Some people think that slashing their calorie count is all that it takes to lose weight, but that's not always the case. Slash too many calories and your body goes into survival mode and slows your metabolism. However, if you consume more calories than you burn, you'll see your weight begin to creep up. Talk with your doctor or check recommended daily calorie allotments for your sex, height and activity level.
D = Density
D represents the density of nutrients in foods. All foods are not created equal. Nutrient density is a measure of the amount of energy a food provides in relation to the amount of nutrients it contains. A donut may taste good and provide lots of energy, but it isn't rich in nutrients. So, it has a low nutrition density. Amarillo College provides a couple of other examples. Grapes are rich in nutrients, but have a relatively low amount of calories. They're nutrient dense. Soda has lots of calories, but they're considered "empty calories" because of the low nutrition they provide.
M = Moderation
M equals moderation in this acronym, and it is a basic principle of most diet plans. You need enough, but not too much when it comes to calories and specific foods. This also goes back to the idea of balance. You don't need to deprive yourself of everything you love, you just need to limit your intake. Choose foods with high nutrition density to make the most of what you eat.
V = Variety
It's said that variety is the spice of life, and the V in this acronym stands for variety in your diet. Diets that limit you to just a few foods are doomed to fail because you won't get the amount of nutrients you need and you're bound to get bored with such a limited menu. Eat a variety of foods, keeping in mind the principles of A, B, C, D and M.
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