Maintaining a Balanced DietYou need to maintain a balanced diet if you want to lose weight and get all the nutrients that your body needs. A balanced diet will improve your mood and help you avoid feeling tired. What do you need to do to maintain a well-balanced diet?
Six Steps to a Balanced Diet
- Practice moderation. While foods that are high in fat and sugar should not be eaten in excess, it is important to give your body a variety of food sources and nutrients. You should never radically limit any one food source, even carbohydrates and fats. Instead, focus on "good" carbs and "good" fats.
- Learn to love fruits and vegetables. You can eat several servings of fruits and vegetables without having to worry about gaining weight. The fiber will also help you feel full for longer after eating but remember that some fibrous foods such as celery, don't play well with your band.
- Include healthy grains and good carbs in your daily diet. About 30 percent of your daily calories should come from healthy carbs. Concentrate on whole-grain carbohydrates and brown rice and avoid white or "starchy" carbs. Also avoid sugars found in junk food and other processed foods.
- Consume milk and other dairy products. The calcium and other nutrients in dairy products are essential to your body, so you do need a couple of servings each day. You can reduce your fat intake by focusing on low-fat dairy options, including reduced-fat milk.
- Eat at least two servings of protein a day. Poultry, fish, and lean meat cuts provide healthy proteins without excessive fat. Nuts and beans are also good sources of protein.
- Avoid sugars and oils. You need very few of these foods in your daily diet. Find healthy alternatives to prepare and flavor your foods and you'll be able to maintain your health and your ideal weight more easily.
The key to a balanced diet is moderation. Focus on eating a variety of healthy foods and finding creative ways to introduce new vitamin sources into your diet.
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