Following a healthy diet plan list means shopping for a wide variety of fresh produce, whole grains, meat and dairy. Variety will provide all the nutrients a healthy diet needs--as well as relief from the boredom of limited diet plans. Start in the fresh produce area of the grocery store and avoid the processed food and snack aisles so that your healthy diet plan will evolve.
Produce First
Start shopping in the produce section of the market to emphasize fresh fruits and veggies in a healthy diet plan. Water-soluble vitamins like B-complex and C are found in abundance in fresh produce. Vary the colors--such as the dark green of broccoli and spinach and the orange of carrots and squash--to get the most health benefits. Variety will also keep your meal plans from tedium. Choose 100 percent fruit and veggie drinks rather than processed, sugary beverages.
Whole Grain Breads and Cereals
Whole grain breads and cereals on a healthy diet plan list will provide carbohydrates and fiber. MayoClinic.com states that about half the daily calorie intake for a healthy diet should be in carbohydrates; whole grains provide those carbs along with the fiber that's missing in processed white bread, cereals and white rice. Breads that have been enriched with B vitamins and iron may sound healthy, but they still won't supply the fiber needed for proper digestion.
Dairy Products
A healthy diet plan list should contain low-fat or no-fat milk, cheese and other dairy items. Dairy items have the proteins, fats and calcium needed for bodily functioning and strong bones. MayoClinic.com states that about a quarter of daily calorie intake should be in protein and another quarter in fats. Fat-soluble vitamins contributed and processed by dairy products include vitamins E, A, D and K. Hard cheeses and yogurts are suitable for lactose-intolerant diets.
Meat and Fish
Healthy diet plan lists should favor lean meats like chicken, fish and lean beef to provide needed protein. Add fish such as salmon to a healthy diet plan to cut back on fat intake. Although a 6-oz. steak provides 38 g of protein, the Harvard School of Public Health states that it also contains 44 g of fat--16 of those grams are saturated fat. A better choice might be a 6-oz. portion of salmon, which provides 34 g of protein and 18 g of fat, with 4 g of saturated fat.
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