A diet plan is a long-term approach to a healthy eating pattern. It’s a great way to make lifestyle changes that will improve your health, including mental and emotional well-being.
It is best to start with a diet that will fit your personality and lifestyle. For example, if you prefer to eat foods high in carbs, then you should avoid diets that cut out entire food groups.
Diets for weight maintenance
After a successful cut, maintaining your goal weight can be a simple matter of eating in balance. This includes a reasonable amount of tasty foods like french fries, beer tastings, extra salads, chocolate, etc. It is important to avoid going back to a calorie restricted diet after a large bump in weight because this can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food.
A healthy diet is focused on whole foods and emphasizes nutrient-dense choices over processed ones. It includes fruits, vegetables, lean meats and protein, low-fat dairy, and eggs. It also limits added sugar, salt, and fats and incorporates plenty of fiber and water. If following this type of diet leaves you feeling grumpy or deprived, it may be time to find another one that fits your needs better. You might want to talk to a registered dietitian for guidance. This is especially true if your eating habits have been unhealthy for a long period of time.
Diets for diabetes
If you have diabetes, the foods you eat and how much you eat are critical to managing your condition. Eating a healthy diet that provides your body with the energy it needs is a cornerstone of a successful management plan, along with exercise, taming stress and taking any prescribed medications.
The best diets for people with diabetes are based on whole, unprocessed foods and include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains. They also limit saturated and trans fats, sodium, and sugar.
The American Diabetes Association recommends following a healthy eating pattern that includes a wide variety of foods from all groups, especially vegetables and nonstarchy fruits; lean protein sources such as chicken breast, fish, beans, and lentils; low-fat and reduced-salt dairy; and whole grains. You should also avoid beverages with added sugar and those that are high in sodium. In addition, you should eat small meals on a regular schedule throughout the day.
