There are hundreds of diet plans, and all have different guidelines. Some are strict and allow no wiggle room to accommodate cravings or personal preferences. Other diet plans are more flexible and even encourage you to indulge in dessert every so often. Although it is tough to harmonize food preferences and dietary rules, it's not a given that they'll stand in stark opposition to each other.
Basics
Most healthy diets are based on the same food items. MyPyramid.gov encourages daily servings of nonfat dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Nutritionally, the best diets also avoid or limit saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, added sugar and sodium. Because many foods use those substances to enhance taste and texture, favorite items don't always fit well into healthy eating plans.
Preferences
Everyone has different food preferences. Some of the most common favorites are ice cream sundaes, cheeseburgers, baked goods, chocolate, fried foods and high-fat snacks. Those items don't play a large part in a healthy diet, but they also aren't likely to be harmful if you enjoy them occasionally and in small servings. Focusing on healthy food preferences can be more helpful when trying to reconcile diet with food choices. For example, many people like bananas, berries, yogurt, granola, potatoes and other foods that have natural nutritional benefits.
Strategy
One especially useful strategy for incorporating food preferences into a strict diet is to distinguish preferences from cravings. Cravings are generally urges to eat unhealthy, sugary, high-fat or high-calorie foods, and they can often be satisfied with just a bite or two. A preference, on the other hand, relates to foods that you might prefer to eat regularly. Choose fresh, healthy, natural foods at the grocery store or farmers' market that look appealing and taste good.
Substitution
If you're attempting to follow a strict diet that allows little room for food preferences, use substitution during your transition time. Substitution involves replacing high-calorie foods that have poor nutritional values with foods that are healthier and lower in calories. HelpGuide suggests starting out by replacing sugary coffee drinks with plain tea, soda with water, chips with fresh vegetables and dessert with fresh fruit.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com emphasizes that food preferences and diets do not have to be mutually exclusive. It encourages making balance and nutrition a priority, but also encourages you to seek out foods that you enjoy and choose eating plans that don't forbid any items outright.
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