Healthy Diet – The Best Way to Lose Weight?

Definition: In nutrition, the diet is simply the sum of the food ingested by an animal or human being. It usually entails the intake of food that could be broken down into its essential nutrient groups. This diet is recommended by most health organizations as the only one whereby a body can obtain all the nutrients it needs to function normally. The types of diet are classified in four: the glycemic diet, the vegetarian diet, the vegan diet and the calorie-restricted diet.

Glycemic diet: This diet includes food items that have a lower Glycemic Index (GI) than others. This means that they take longer for the body to break them down and have a significant effect on the glucose level in the blood stream. The use of this diet includes products such as white bread, rice, pasta and cereals. Also included are foods that contain 30 GI or less, which include apples, bananas, pears and prunes. Consuming these products with meals reduces the need to take snacks in between meals and helps in promoting weight loss (by depressing appetite).

Vegetarian diet: On the other hand, the term “vegetarian” refers to individuals who avoid eating meat or animals, including fish and shellfish. They may consume milk and eggs but exclude other animal proteins such as cows, goats, chickens, and other farm animals. A wide variety of grains and legumes are allowed including dried beans, peas, and other vegetables, grains such as corn, rice, pasta and cereals. Some vegetarians also enjoy eating fruits such as strawberries, oranges, bananas, and apples. They may drink fruit juice, water or tea in place of animal-based drinks.

Vegan diet: The word “vegan” refers to individuals who refrain from consuming any type of animal-based products. It is an extreme diet restricting total consumption of dairy, eggs, meat, and other animal-derived products. However, some vegans enjoy some dairy and eggs as long as they do not overindulge. Vegans do not appear to have higher rates of heart disease, cancer, or any other type of chronic degenerative disease.

Fruit and vegetables are a part of every healthy diet; therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables is a necessary part of any weight loss plan. A well-balanced diet should consist of a number of fruits and vegetables, particularly dark green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. A couple of cups of vegetables a day provides the necessary dietary fiber to help regulate the amount of calories that are consumed. This can help individuals reduce weight without reducing the amount of physical activity. Vegetables and fruits can be combined with a variety of different foods to make for a balanced diet.

Although it does not include all the foods on the standard American diet, a healthy diet does include a good variety of foods from each of the four food groups. Vegetarians and Vegans can still enjoy a wide array of foods and beverages while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The key is to simply find a variety of tasty, healthful foods.