How To Diet Healthy

How to diet healthy is really not difficult.  The key factor is balancing what you eat.  A wide assortment of foods meets your nutritional needs, and if you purposely plan your meals to include what is  best for your body, that will contribute greatly to being able to diet in a healthy way. At the same time, you will have more energy, sharpen your memory, reduce the risk of disease, and feel so much better.

1. Make sure not to eat more than can be utilized by your body.  It is the old motto of expending more calories than what you take in.  The more activity you take part in, the more you can increase your calorie count, to a certain point.  
2. It is best to set a calorie goal for each day, one that has been determined to be the best for you.  Your doctor can help with this.  If you are willing to write down all calories as you eat, you can see when your "quota" has run out and when you must stop eating for that day.  Keeping this "food diary" has proven to be a very good way to control your calories. 
3. Portion control is another necessary tool.  With restaurants having increased their portions, we often do not know what a proper portion is.  Using the given amount for a portion on the package or box, weigh and measure your portions until you learn what the proper ones are.  When dining out, choose an appetizer to get a smaller size, or share a meal with a friend, or purposely take half of the meal home for another day.   
4. Slowly make small changes.  If you gradually add healthy tips to your menus, they will become a habit, and you won't be discouraged by trying to make too many big changes at once. 
5. Color can help!!  When you look at a pretty plate full of colorful vegetables and fruits, it is very appetizing.  The deeper and brighter the color, the more antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and minerals.  Every meal should include fruits and vegetables, and eating them for snacks is a good way to make up the difference if you don't eat them during one of your meals. 
6. With water making up 75% of your body, it is important to replace lost water by staying hydrated.  Remember that fruits and vegetables also contain water, so they can make up for part of the eight recommended glasses of water per day. 
7. Eat  healthy carbs and whole grains. Good carbs include grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.  In addition to the fiber, they are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, keep your blood sugar and insulin stable, and they make you feel full longer. 
8. Keep  your intake of cholesterol below 300 mg each day.  Only found in animal products, go lightly on meats, dairy products, and poultry. 
9. Calcium is essential to keep your bones and teeth strong.  Get calcium from low-fat items such as skim milk and low-fat  yogurt. 
10. Supplements can be helpful if you know you are not getting enough of a certain needed vitamin or nutrient.  However, it is best to get these from food instead because food contains compounds that supplements do not.