Diet foods range from all-natural foods to artificially made, calorie-free items. When trying to control weight, it is important to know the facts and the options for all diet foods available. Some choices are more ideal and convenient than others, but the goal is to help manage weight effectively while still providing adequate nutrition.
Diet Shakes
Diet shakes are a popular way people go about losing weight. Many of these shakes are loaded with nutrients and are supposed to be used as meal substitutes for breakfast and/or lunch. They are also a good method for keeping the metabolism going if you often skip meals during the day. The disadvantage to the shakes is that liquid is less likely to give a full feeling, and many people overeat at dinnertime.
Weight Loss Bars
Weight loss bars are a convenient way to control calories, and they come in any diet variety from protein and low-carb to fiber and whole wheat. Diet bars are more filling, even though they are usually a small serving. The disadvantage to this diet food is they can be quite expensive and do not always provide enough nutrition to substitute for a full meal.
Artificial Sweeteners
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American eats 146 pounds of sugar per year. To reduce this number, many turn to artificial sweeteners to satisfy their sweet tooth while cutting calories. These sugar substitutes contain little or no calories and are helpful in weight control. However, some sweeteners have reported side effects and have caused allergic reactions. Some of the sweeteners also do not react well with heat and cannot be used for baking.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are the best diet foods because they are loaded with vitamins and minerals for overall nutrition, not just calorie-cutting. Fruits and vegetables can be bought fresh or frozen. Grocery stores often have specials on frozen fruits and veggies, thereby allowing you to stock up. These are great foods to snack on between meals to keep your diet intact. The best fruits to choose are berries, citrus fruits and others that are deep in color. Green leafy vegetables and colorful peppers are examples of some of the best snack foods for dieters.
Lean Meats
Lean meats are an excellent choice for a low-calorie and low-fat dinner. Lean meats include fish, chicken and turkey. Be sure to remove the skin, and cook the meat with light vegetable oils such as canola or olive. Use herbs and spices for flavoring rather than butter. When dieting, it is important to not eat more than five ounces of meat per day.
Member Comments