5 Day Well-balanced Healthy Diet Plan

Trying out a new, healthy eating plan on a trial basis is a helpful strategy for people who aren't sure how to go about changing their diets. Making a lot of adjustments at once can be overwhelming, so it's worthwhile to consider picking up just a few healthier eating habits at a time. Then, at the end of the five-day period, take the changes that worked best and continue to apply them every day.

Benefits

Sticking to a healthy eating plan for even a short period of time can have big benefits. After just a day or two, you may notice that you have more energy, feel more confident about your choices and are inspired to continue making positive changes. Nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables can also improve health. According to MyPyramid.gov, a healthy and balanced diet may reduce the risk of bone loss, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and kidney stones.

Basics

The USDA food pyramid encourages people to eat a balance of fruits, vegetables, low-fat and nonfat dairy items, whole grains, lean meats, fish and legumes. In addition to eating those healthy staples, it's important to limit the amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, cholesterol and added sugar in what you eat every day. To make following a healthy and balanced plan easier, stick to eating whole, unprocessed and natural foods most of the time. Avoid processed foods, packaged products, fast food and restaurant meals.

How to Plan

Choose your favorite foods from the basic staples that are in the food pyramid. Then, use them in the meals you plan for each day of your diet. For example, if you love red bell peppers, use them in a veggie omelet for breakfast one day, a salad for lunch on another day and a stir fry or tortilla for dinner on a third day. Look through recipe books to pick out healthy, balanced meals to prepare, as MealsMatter.org suggests. Finally, make a grocery list that includes all the items you'll need for the week, and stick to that list when you go shopping.

Tips

In addition to paying attention to what you eat, pay attention to how you eat during your five-day eating plan. HelpGuide.org recommends sharing meals with others, focusing on the food you have, eating slowly and deliberately, serving yourself small portions, noticing when you begin to feel full and planning your meals and snacks in advance whenever possible.

Goals

A primary goal of following a five-day healthy eating plan should be to find habits and choices that you can stick with beyond the temporary period. Eating nutritious foods will have the strongest health benefits if you can do it permanently rather than just for a few days. That's why MayoClinic.com recommends people take time to search for diet plans that they like and can follow indefinitely. Even if you can only change one or two habits at a time, work toward permanent and lasting improvements.