The best diet food list for weight loss is one that is abundant in high fiber, low fat foods. If you find yourself needing to shed a few pounds, or just want to begin to eat healthier, the following foods are a great place to start. Eating right, when combined with regular exercise can get your body and your health to where you and need it to be in a relatively short amount of time.
First of all, drink water. Water is a major part of your body composition and needs to be consumed every day in order to keep you hydrated and healthy. It is well known that drinking six to eight glasses or cups of water each day is essential for your well being, but many people have trouble keeping this up. Get a water bottle and take it with you everywhere you go in order to make it easier for you to get in the habit of consuming the right amount of water.
Veggies are a monumentally important part of a healthy diet. Their fiber keeps you full, their vitamins and minerals keep you healthy. Eat them regularly for lunch and dinner and have them make up at least half your meal. That is a sure fire way to include enough servings per day and drastically reduce your caloric intake. Do not be afraid to spice them up for a little variety. Raw, boiled, steamed or cooked, vegetables are some of the best food out there.
Fresh fruit is also just as important to consume because it is a natural source of fiber, vitamins and essential acids in some cases. However it is also a source of natural sugar and should be consumed in quantities less than vegetables. To do this successfully, have fruit in the mornings with breakfast and in the afternoons or evenings as a snack.
Dairy should be monitored. Some products, like live active culture yogurts are great for your digestive system and should be included often. Others such as high fat milks, creams and cheeses should be used sparingly since they contain fats an cholesterol that in large quantities are not beneficial to your health. Low fat or Fat Free milks are best, although there are many great substitutes out there if you are lactose intolerant or just looking for other options.
Eat leaner meat cuts over all, but try to switch from red meats, such as beef and pork, to poultry and fish. If you would rather not go vegetarian entirely, bird and fish flesh is high in protein and much less fatty than it’s cow or pig counterparts. Not all fish or sea creatures are created equal, however. Though as a general rule, fish are less likely to be full of cholesterol than crustaceans.
Be sure to eat enough oats, legumes and grains. Beans, lentils, and even hummus can be incorporated into many dishes and help you feel full while giving your body fiber and vitamins. Have whole wheat bread and pasta instead of bleached and limit the servings of these. Most people eat much bigger portions of these foods than they should.
Do not be afraid of alternative foods such as soy products. Foods like tofu, polenta and rice cakes can be very handy in filling in the gaps of your diet and giving you less caloric alternatives to your usual foods. They are also relatively inexpensive, easy to prepare and very versatile. Choose your next menu from this food list and you will be on your way to healthy eating!
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