There are many different things to consider when you are on a healthy diet. Not only do you need to watch what you eat, but exercising regularly is very important as well. A lot of people are discouraged from dieting due to not being able to consume their favorite foods. This will give you a few examples of foods that are not only great for your health, but taste good as well.

First off, fruit is a great alternative food that you can eat while on a diet. There are many to choose from which eliminates the redundancy factor that diets tend to scare people away. Oranges and grapefruits are great citrus treats that are high in vitamin C. Some of my favorites are water melons, strawberries, and pineapples. If you do get sick of eating these everyday, get creative and make some mixed fruit juice combinations. Another great idea for a snack while eating healthy are granola bars. Granola bars are extremely nutritious, not to mention, taste great. Even if you are having your children eat healthy, you will not have a problem getting them to eat a granola bar. The most appealing thing about them is that there are so many different flavors that at least one would appeal to most everyone. The different flavors, such as chocolate chip and apple pie, make it feel like you are cheating on your diet, but don’t worry they are extremely healthy.

The last food that I recommend when eating a healthy diet is baked potato chips. Everyone knows the saying “you can’t eat just one,” but if they are deep fried and full of fat, you can’t afford to eat more than one. With the baked chips, you reduce the fat and calories tremendously, as the chips still maintain the same great flavor that you are used to. Another good thing is the potato chip companies still make most of the flavors in the baked chips that you would see in the regular chips. One thing to remember about dieting is that it doesn’t need to be a bad experience. There are many different foods that you can eat that will, not only keep you healthy, but “hit the spot” as well.

Healthy eating requires a mixture of nutrients which includes protein, vitamins, liquids, minerals, anti-oxidants, fats, and some form of carbohydrate, predominately whole grain is best.

To begin the day off right you start with a great breakfast that includes some protein or fat with a carbohydrate, then continue throughout the day with a variety of proteins, liquids, fruits, vegetables and milk products. Enjoy the healthy eating benefits.

Daily Healthy Meal Plan One:

Breakfast:

• 1 cup of plain yogurt
• 2 Tbs. grape nuts
• 6 ounces of apple juice,
• orange juice or apricot nectar

Lunch:

• 1 and one-half cups of vegetable soup or 1 cup of cream of chicken soup
• 6 one to one and one-half inch crackers (wheat or sesame)
• 1 slick of whole grain bread or 3/4 ounce slice of Swiss cheese spread with one TB. of peanut butter
• 1 cup of chocolate milk or 1/2 cup reduced sugar ice cream

Afternoon Snack:

• 2 ounces of raisins , dried fruit or 3 to 4 fresh plums

Dinner:

• 6 ounce round steak or pork tenderloin
• 4 ounces of mashed potatoes or Cole slaw (Cole slaw made with reduced-fat mayonnaise)
• 1 cup of broccoli steamed with 2 teaspoons of margarine and pepper
• 4 to 6 ounces of gelatin (regular or sugar free) with strawberries or other berries

Evening Snack:

Something saved from earlier in the day, 1 slice whole grain toast with margarine and spices, or 1 cup of milk regular or skim with diet soda, flavored water or tea.

Note: The evening snack is optional.

Daily Healthy Meal Plan Two:

Breakfast:

• 1 fried egg fried in non stick pan or with 1 teaspoon of oil
• 2 ounces of sausage
• 2 Tbs. of white milk gravy
• 6 ounces of tomato or pineapple juice

Lunch:

• 4 ounces of Salisbury steak
• 1/3rd cup of macaroni salad or steamed cauliflower
• 1 hot roll with 1 teaspoon of margarine
• 6 ounces of prepared butterscotch instant pudding (regular or sugar-free)

Afternoon Snack:

• 1 ice cream bar-4 ounce size with 1 graham cracker square (2 small rectangles) spread with 1 TB of cream cheese or jelly

Dinner:

• 6 ounces of chicken breast or any fish
• 6 ounces of bean sprouts or steamed zucchini
• 2 ounces of mushrooms sprinkled with caraway seed if desired
• 1 inch slice of French bread with 1 teaspoon of garlic butter

Evening Snack:

• 4 ounces of red wine, diet soda, flavored water or tea.

I may not be an expert or a nutritionist but these are what I would say is my top ten best healthy eating tips…

1. Don’t Starve Yourself! Don’t think that because you skipped a meal, you are healthier or better off… you’re not.
2. Don’t Make Food Your Enemy! If you think of food as the “bad guy” you are more likely to become obsessed with food or obsessed with not eating it.
3. Moderation is Important! Don’t completely cut out foods from your diet, instead cut down. Even sweets can have a spot in your diet but make sure you don’t over eat.
4. Don’t Base How Healthy You Are On Your Food Choices Alone. Eating right is extremely important but know that even if you eat perfect (which is pretty much impossible) you should also get regular exercise and not base your health on your food habits or weight alone.
5. Keep Track of Your Diet. Not only do you have to know the bad foods you’re eating but you also need to know the good foods you’re not eating enough of!
6. Listen To Your Body. It knows when you’re full…
7. Don’t Eat When You’re Stressed. You make bad choices and eat when you’re not hungry.
8. Know What’s Best For you. Grilled is better then fried or seared. Whole grain is better then light colored.
9. Drink Plenty of Water! Very good for you! Plus your body often confuses thirst for hunger and you eat when you should drink.
10. Be Happy with Your Eating Choices. If you aren’t, you wont stick with your diet or new healthy way of eating.

Healthy eating guide begins with balance. Healthy eating starts with making the right choices. The key is to learn to make smarter and better choices about food. It is not all about counting fat grams or counting individual calories or even studying labels.

It begins with a more balanced approach to eating .

Healthy eating is balanced and moderate. Meals should not be skipped. Skipping meals leads to hunger craves. Eat at least three balanced meals per day. In between meals splurge on healthy snacks like fruit or peanuts. Teach your body to expect food at regular intervals. Lowering craving and hunger enhances your odds of keeping your focus and balance.

Each meal should be balanced among the different food groups. Don’t splurge on calories or carbohydrates in different meals. Always think about balance as your road to healthy eating guide. If you desire a treat, then indulge yourself but do it in moderation or as a reward. Balance will require discipline.

Plan your meals on a weekly basis. Printout a weekly calendar and create a healthy eating menu guide. Each day should have your major meals and snacks. It reinforces discipline and stops the “impulse” meal. This healthy eating tip alone could be the difference between sticking to your diets and failure. Prepare a detailed shopping list from your weekly planner. Prepare your food for the next day. After the day review your meals and progress. Positive reinforcement after the fact will give you a sense of accomplishment and enhance your discipline.

I don’t know where to begin speaking about the benefits of eating healthy other then to give you a little background about myself. I was never overweight, I was actually very skinny as a child and teenager, even through my 20’s, then I got married and then it was 10 years later and I am now 31 and became overweight about 20 pounds from not really eating good in the last 5 years, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups became my breakfast..literally and ice-cream ALWAYS right before bed, Pork about every other day, and homemade large pizzas where I would eat 1/2 in one setting. Then I finally noticed my clothes weren’t fitting properly and had to spend about $200.00 on new ones. My healthy eating benefits have just begun.

A Revelation

I then woke up one day and said, no more. I didn’t get a nutritionist or go on any type of program, I just researched on-line about eating healthy and exercising and the benefits that would follow if I continued to eat good. I bought a mountain bike. And told myself, I can’t just only exercise, I have to start eating right as well or else the exercise wouldn’t matter in the long run.

My Process

I started off eating a little portion of a different fruit and vegetable every day to start, BUT at first, I only drank my fruit (Orange Juice) and V-8! But I started bringing home fresh picked apples from the Orchard and oranges, fresh garlic and green peppers in a salad with no dressing. At first everything tasted bitter to me, but I guess that’s because I was used to chocolate and most other bad food! I worked my way up to an apple, orange or banana a day for breakfast…I slowly weaned my way off of the Reese’s! I started eating lean chicken and fish..instead of feeling like I was going to die riding the bike, I actually started to look forward to it, I rode an hour a day, thank god I live by the mountains and a nice lake so I had a nice trail to ride on. I started eating oats and whole wheat bread, even wheat pasta! I cut out most of the butter and oils I was consuming for the last 20 years and now I only use a little light olive oil when needed. Instead of having ice-cream before bed, I started making fresh fruit drinks with my new blender. Just add a tablespoon of a little fizz liquid to it like ginger ale and they are great.

The Results

I started noticing I was losing weight in my face, I started feeling better in just about every aspect about 3.5-4 months later. I could breath better, I could think clearer, I had so much more energy then I think I ever did, my cholesterol went down to where it should be for my age, my blood pressure which was high for my age also went down. I felt like I could focus better on things and I always use to have a “film” over my eyes where it seemed like I had to much liquid that seemed to disappear and I could see clearer then before. I didn’t feel at all like I used to…dragging around, tired, always buying the same things at the store…Chocolate, ice-cream, potato chips. My doctor said the way I was eating would most likely lead me to heart disease, or worse at an early age. I didn’t watch myself like a hawk about eating because then I would have went backwards being paranoid about it, I just eat healthy now because there are so many positive benefits that come with it then don’t.

The future

Now, I feel like a new person, I eat lean and did a total turn around in my eating habits, I eat healthy now and know I always will, the benefits out way any kind of chocolate that I lived on prior. I don’t deprive myself, but I don’t eat chocolate for breakfast anymore, instead of extra extra mayo on my sandwich, I get mustard, instead of cupcakes, I’ll make a fat free strawberry pie. I just eat differently and not at all the way I use to before, I still have chocolate occasionally, I just wouldn’t die without it like I thought I would before.

Starting along the path to healthy eating is the hardest first step. Along your journey, a few stumbling blocks will hamper your success. Below is a list of common diet mistakes or myths. Avoid these problems and your healthy eating guide will be stronger.

1. Reducing food consumption drastically. Hunger pains are your body’s message that it is out of balance. Feed your body, but do it smart. Feed a hunger pain with fruit.
2. Energy bars and drinks. It is easy and convenient but will hamper your overall progress. Bars and drinks often neglect antioxidants and lack taste. Relearn to enjoy healthy snacks like apples.
3. Skipping Meals. Breakfast is the most skipped meal of the day. Breakfast is the most important meal. Your day starts with the breakfast energy. Skipping it will lead to cravings and imbalance.
4. Diets that are not in balance. Low calorie, low-fat, low-carb are all examples of diets that will have temporary successes but will not be permanent solutions. The healthy eating guide is balanced. Teach your body to expect balance and moderation.
5. Not enough water. The sooner you replace your drinks with water the sooner your body will adapt to healthy living. Soda and sports drinks are artificial. All your body needs is water.

What are Some Healthy Eating Benefits

Although it is tempting to consume a diet high in fat and sugar, especially in today’s world, it is important to modify eating habits to include healthy foods. In doing this, you will be able to lower the risks of disease, look better, and have more energy in performing your day-to-day activities. While eating healthy food may sound unappealing, there are actually countless delicious options.

New Options

As a result of the emerging healthy eating fad, many restaurants are not only making their nutrition information readily available, but also changing their menus to include various choices low in fat and saturated fat. Trans fats are also being eliminated from many dishes. This is very convenient for consumers because a significant factor in the obesity epidemic is the presence of unhealthy fast food and the need for quick meals resulting from busy schedules.

The Path

In order to eat a healthy diet, one should aim to minimize the amount of fat, saturated fat, and trans fat consumed. In addition, one should increase the intake of fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates - although candies and other sweets do consist of carbohydrates, they do not provide as much energy as the carbohydrates found in bread or pasta. Caloric intake should also be monitored in order to achieve a balance between the amount of calories consumed and the amount expended to prevent weight gain. Following these guidelines will not only increase your lifespan, but will allow you to experience more enjoyable, care-free years. Although it may be hard at first to change your diet to include healthier options, the benefits will far exceed the struggle.