To develop a healthy eating program to maintain a healthy weight, its a good idea to do some research on health and nutrition. If youre not trying to lose weight but just want to eat well for good health, then its important to understand how your body uses food. This makes it easier for you to choose healthy food and not be tricked when less-than healthy foods call themselves natural and healthy.

A healthy eating program should offer you much more than just a good balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates. But if that balance isnt in place to start with, the plan probably isnt all that healthy. Any plan that keeps fat at about 30% or less of the diet and stresses good fats over saturated fats probably has a healthy fat balance. There should be plenty of sources of protein other than meat, like lots of fish, healthy dairy sources like yogurt, and beans.

And carbohydrates should be mostly whole grain sources like whole grain bread and oatmeal. Whole grain pastas are better than regular pastas, and basmati rice is better than regular white rice. A healthy eating program that stresses these smart choices over things like instant white rice and instant pre-packaged sweetened and flavored oatmeal is better than one that includes too many convenience items.

A healthy eating program should follow the government food pyramid pretty closely. Whole grain carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, lean meat and dairy products can all be part of a very healthy diet. But there are other things to look at, no matter what kind of diet you choose to follow.

You want to make sure your healthy eating program has enough diversity so that you dont get bored, and you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Baked chicken breasts, broccoli and a whole grain roll might be a healthy lunch, but no one wants to eat that several times a week. Your plan needs to include a variety of vegetables, not just one or two. There are more lean meats than chicken breasts, and many different ways to prepare these and other dishes.

Youll also want to make sure that unhealthy things arent creeping into your meals. Some diets stress that you use margarine instead of butter, for instance, because its lower fat and not full of saturated fat like butter. But margarine is mostly trans fat, a fat that even the government now agrees is worse for you than saturated fat. Its a fat that should be eliminated, or at the very least severely restricted, from our diets. A healthy eating program that allows certain commercially packaged low-fat cookies and treats might not take into account the amount of trans fats and sugar in those foods, either.

You have to be the detective and examine all the parts of the diet you want to follow. Yes, the balance of foods and nutrition is important, but dont forget to look at all the other parts of your healthy eating program.

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Are there recipes out there to help you lose weight? A secret recipe, perhaps? There are combination’s of food that will assist you in losing weight. Make your own recipe book, “My Weight Loss Recipes”.

There are many ways to lose weight. But is there a right or wrong way? I believe it depends on each individual’s body chemistry. What works for you may not necessarily work for the person next to you.

If you are counting calories, you want to focus on foods that are low in fat and high in protein and fiber. Fresh fruit and vegetables don’t have all the unneeded bi-products.

Protein is an essential part of your diet. Try to choose low fat protein. Such as chicken breast without the skin, low fat yogurt, egg whites. Protein is the building blocks of cells. Let’s face it you want to build your muscle not break it down to be replaced by fat.

Here is a yummy recipe that is one of my favorites. This recipe can be used as a balanced meal or snack consisting of protein, milk product, fruit and grain. Greek Yogurt Parfait: Layer the following: 1 cup Greek fat free yogurt, one cup of strawberries (or berry of your choosing), 2/3 cup low fat granola. Absolutely delicious and filling!

How about a chicken club sandwich for lunch? Lightly toast 2 slices of whole grain bread (think, fiber). Slice a piece of grilled chicken or turkey breast (no skin, too much fat). You can use light or fat free mayo, a dab of mustard. Top with lettuce, ripe tomato, pickles on the side. There you have it: low cal, fat; high protein, fiber.

Now, what’s for dinner? I thought you would never ask. Marinade a pack of chicken breast (no skin) overnight (I prefer lemon-pepper). Make a mixture of cooked chopped broccoli, cream of celery. Tenderize the chicken breast till it is as big as your hand. Place a spoonful of broccoli mixture in the center, fold all sides, secure with toothpick. Sprinkle Pepperidge Farm Stuffing on top, lightly sprinkle fat free cheese as well. Place in oven 350 degrees for approximately 30-45 minutes.

There are so many different recipes out there to try to help you lose weight. Or you can simply take your favorite recipes and put a healthy twist to it. Making right food choices and turning that into a life style change is key to long term success.

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It’s kind of funny, in a sad sort of way, that the number of ineffective, short-lived fad diets continues to grow. And they grow despite the fact that they don’t work, at least not as a long-term solution to losing weight. So, what are you supposed to do if you want to lose weight? Eat better.

Yep. That’s it. Eat better.

Okay, seriously, it wouldn’t be much if that’s all I said. I believe we all know, deep down, that we need to eat better if we stand a chance of shedding those extra pounds. Don’t worry, this is going to be as common sense as it is easy to follow. No fad diet nonsense, just what works.

Food is nothing more than fuel for the body. It contains the vitamins, minerals and calories we need to survive. We only get in trouble when we eat too many calories without burning them off. Some foods are better than others, but nothing is forbidden. Here’s how you can use food to put the odds of weight loss in your favor.

Start the day with something to get the internal furnace started. That means eating breakfast. There is no reason to skip breakfast. It takes virtually no time at all to grab a piece of whole-wheat toast and spread some peanut butter on it, then wash it down with a glass of orange juice. Or boil up some eggs for the upcoming week. Then have an egg, a banana and a granola bar. Even a ready made breakfast shake is better than nothing. The trick is to get your body use to burning calories for the day.

Now that you have your metabolism fired up, you need to keep it going by snacking. A light snack every two hours is all it takes. A small handful of nuts, some carrot sticks with non-fat yogurt, or a protein bar, are good choices. Regular snacking will prevent you from experience mid-afternoon burn out, too.

So, now it’s lunchtime and you’re feeling great! You’re eating food you like and you’re not hungry. Let’s keep going with turkey breast on whole-grain bread, romaine lettuce, tomato and a smear of mustard. Add a veggie-rich salad and a small glass of juice or skim milk and you’re all set.

Don’t forget your two-hour snack break.

For supper try some baked salmon brushed with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Include some fresh veggies of your choice (bake them with the salmon if you like), and a cup of homemade soup. Yummy!

Remember to eat your next snack.

As you can see, this is all reasonable, simple eating. Food is there to keep you going, and it needs to be tasty, too. Remember, nothing is off limits. If you must have some ice cream, just keep the portion under control. Make it a habit to increase the better foods, and eat less of the not-so-good ones and you lose weight fast. Faster than you may have thought possible.

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When it comes to losing weight, everyone wants a quick solution. Natural fat loss supplements abound, promising quick, immediate weight loss. However, if you’re truly interested in losing weight naturally, the only real way to do so is through diet and exercise. Natural weight loss is just that natural. It’s a process that your body goes through. You can’t reproduce natural fat loss by taking a pill or eating strange combinations of foods. You can, however, encourage it by eating well and exercising regularly.

Natural fat loss is achieved as the body loses fat and gains muscle. You can encourage fat loss and muscle gain by eating properly and working out. Foods for natural fat loss are nutrient dense, rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods like fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrition, without being packed with calories. For a natural fat loss diet, choose lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fat free dairy. By limiting your caloric intake, you’re encouraging natural fat loss.

As you build muscle, you decrease the percentage of your body composed by fat. A muscle toning program can add lean, toned muscle without adding bulk. Low weights and high repetitions will help you achieve a long, lean physique, while aiding your natural fat loss. As you build muscle, your body will burn calories more efficiently, which will allow you to burn your remaining fat even more quickly!

Cardio exercise will also help in your natural fat loss journey. After your first fifteen minutes of cardio, your body begins to burn fat for energy. You can ramp this process up even more by exercising first thing in the morning before breakfast. Your body burns more fat on an empty stomach, so this can be a quick and easy way to jump start natural fat loss. If you get dizzy or shaky with this method, try adding a light breakfast with a low fat protein source, such as whole grain bread with peanut butter. This will give you enough nutrients for exercise, without weighing you down.

Natural fat loss can only be achieved through diet and exercise. If you are interested in losing fat naturally, without supplements, pills, or powders, you can do so. Natural fat loss involves a lot of effort, but it is well worth it. It is the easiest type of weight loss to maintain. Weight lost with fad diets is often quickly regained. However, with natural weight loss, you will achieve results that will stick with you for a lifetime. By learning how to eat right and exercise properly, you’re enabling your body to lose fat now, and maintain your weight loss for a lifetime!

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, nor should it be interpreted or substituted as medical advice. Prior to making changes to your physical exercise routine and your diet, you should always consult your personal physician.

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