Different factors set healthy and effective diets apart from poor eating plans. You have plenty of excellent diet plans to choose from within those effective strategies. This is good news if you want to improve the way you eat because it means the best diet plans invite flexibility, creativity and balance.
Definition
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, and Dietary Guidelines for Americans define a healthy eating plan as a diet that abides by daily caloric needs; includes lean proteins; focuses on whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables; and limits sugar, fat, cholesterol and salt. Beyond that general definition, it's easy and advisable to tweak a diet plan to suit your personal preferences and requirements.
Nutrition
An excellent diet plan will fulfill nutritional requirements without making the planning process too much of a hassle. People often find it helpful to use the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food guide pyramid as a general diet template because it accounts for most nutritional needs. The pyramid calls for daily servings of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products. It also emphasizes variety and balance at each meal.
Types
Aside from the food guide pyramid, there are a host of healthy eating plans that form solid bases for individual diets. The CDC recommends the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, eating plan as one wise choice. Vegetarian diets, gluten-free diets and low-calorie diets are just a few additional options that can satisfy all nutritional requirements with daily healthy choices.
Process
A sustainable and effective diet plan starts with a solid design. The CDC recommends you write down your favorite meals and figure out ways to make them healthier. For instance, you can swap in lower-fat ingredients, use whole grains instead of refined grains, and use whole foods instead of processed items. Seek out healthy ingredients at the grocery store, and follow a set list to stick to your diet and avoid unhealthy impulse buys. In addition to grocery shopping, HelpGuide.org suggests getting food items from farmers' markets or local sources so the ingredients are as fresh and nutritious as possible.
Tips
Your own needs and desires are important in a diet plan. Choosing a plan with strict rules or multiple limitations isn't as likely to yield good results as a plan that embraces what you like and how you live. MayoClinic.com invites people to develop diets that cater to their preferences, schedules and budgets while still emphasizing healthy choices from the major food groups. Treats are allowed, but keep them to small servings and occasional indulgences.
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