With so much hype and focus on dieting these days, some have lost track of how to just eat healthy. Resources for a healthy diet are abundant, including books in the local library and a plethora of internet websites offering to teach a healthy diet. Beware of healthy diet websites that claim medical cures such as weight loss, increased stamina and anti-aging benefits, or those that sell products in conjunction with health diet plans. Healthy diet websites should come from reputable, researche-based sources such as government organizations, large hospitals and colleges of medicine.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The most diverse site on the internet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture My Pyramid website has an impressive array of healthy diet tools, education and links to healthy diet resources. The food pyramid, created by the USDA, teaches the basics of a healthy diet by exploring which foods and portions should be consumed daily. Printable materials for adults and interactive games for children supplement the website. Of note, the site has menu planners to keep the healthy eater on track with shopping, cost and weekly meals. A link is located in the Resources section.
Helpguide
A not-for-profit website, Helpguide teaches the basics of a healthy diet and tips on how to stick with it. This site focuses on food groups, teaching the importance of portions and how to measure the servings . Helpguide teaches the daily value of carbohydrates, fiber, proteins and fats in simple terms that are understandable without a medical degree. This website also contains links to other reputable sites. The link for Helguide is located in the Resources section.
The Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic has a series of pages that educate on all aspects of nutrition. As a hospital organization, the Mayo Clinic incorporates the advice of registered dietitians as well as information linking nutrition and healthy diet to specific diseases. This Website did not have as many interactive tools as the others, but the science of a healthy diet and the use of nutrients in the human body are well explained. The link to this site is available in the Resources section.
BBC Health
A worldwide broadcasting company, BBC Health has a website for nutrition and healthy eating that is linked to current world concerns such as food recalls and safety. BBC Health provides education broken down by diseases, including heart disease and dental health as affected by a healthful diet. This site also has a basic metabolic rate, or BMI, calculator. The link to BBC Health is available in the Resources section.
Harvard School of Public Health
The Harvard School of Public Health's nutrition website provides a more in-depth understanding of the government's food pyramid. Explaining each food group by importance, daily needs and how to build a healthful diet, this website contains all the excellent information of the U.S. Department of Agriculture site in a straightforward format. The site also discusses the changes made to a healthy diet over the years with scientific evidence and studies to support these changes. The link for The Harvard School of Public Health is located in the Resources section.
Member Comments