Healthy Balance Diet Plan

Overview

Eating healthy ensures weight loss that is sustainable and less likely to be regained. According to the American Heart Association, eating a healthy diet can add years to your life as well as enhance the overall quality.

Benefits

Help Guide suggests that eating a healthy and balanced diet means more than just losing weight. It helps to sustain energy and reduce risk of developing such diseases as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. It provides you with the daily nutrition needed to feel good. By eating a healthy diet, your mood can improve and your thoughts may become clearer.

Considerations

To implement a healthy diet plan, start off slowly and be patient with yourself. Moderation is always key, according to Help Guide. Serve smaller portions and begin to make changes slowly. Every change your make in your diet is significant. Take time to chew your food and eat with others. Cook at home. Begin to listen to your body and eat smaller meals throughout the day.

Basics

The American Heart Association recommends eating a variety of nutritious foods every day. Eat whole grains, legumes, fresh vegetables and fruits. Some whole grain choices include brown rice, millet, barley and quinoa. Dark leafy greens and root vegetables are mineral-rich. Eat lean proteins, such as broiled fish, nuts or beans. Fish like salmon, sardines or herring provides the body with much needed essential fatty acids. Take a whole food vitamin daily and drink plenty of water.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid sodas and processed foods, as well as saturated fats, which can be found in red meat and whole milk dairy products. Keep refined sugars in moderation. Help Guide says that sugars can make energy levels rise and fall and can cause depression. Limit sodium to 2,300 mg per day. Processed foods, restaurant and fast foods often contain too much sodium