People that enjoy a variety of foods often have an easy time planning tasty meals made from fresh ingredients. Food lovers can often use simple recipes that are easy to prepare, and their diets are often composed of various fruits, vegetables, spices and proteins, which create a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
Function
MyPyramid.gov notes that the Food Guide Pyramid, created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, can help people structure a healthy, well-balanced diet. This system focuses on the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, such as fiber rich breads, and low-fat dairy products. Lean meats and nuts, low in saturated fats, are recommended as healthy proteins, and foods that are high in saturated fats, such as fried food or junk food, should be consumed very sparingly. This food guide helps individuals lower their cholesterol levels and control body weight.
Cooking
HelpGuide.org notes that people that enjoy cooking and eating can often create diverse recipes by using spices and herbs in the place of heavy condiments such as butter, mayonnaise or salad dressings. In addition, fresh vegetables should be steamed rather than sauteed in oil or butter, and meat entrees should be broiled rather than friend or sauteed. These cooking strategies are key for weight management because they control the consumption of trans fats and saturated fats.
Serving Sizes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides detailed information on appropriate serving sizes for a variety of foods. Serving sizes can be measure by the cup or they can be estimated by size. For example, a serving of meat may be the size of a fist or a deck of cards, while some vegetables, such beets or squash, would be measured by the cup. Using suggested serving sizes is a critical part of developing a balanced diet and effective weight management system.
Warnings
Many people that enjoy food also like to eat out and try different cooking styles. Restaurants frequently offer entrees in larger serving sizes, so it's important not to over eat. Many people avoid this issue by requesting a portion of the entree in a take-out container. Likewise, restaurants may often use cooking methods that require oils, or butter, so it is important to order food selections with healthy ingredients and cooking methods.
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