A Healthy Diet That Helps You Reach Your Goals

Diet in nutrition is the total amount of food ingested by an organism or individual during a meal. It also involves the proportions of macronutrients (e.g., carbohydrates, protein, fat) and calories in the diet. The objective of a diet is to create a diet that meets the requirements of an individual and contributes to good health. The objective of a dietitian is to provide healthy and balanced diets to their clients.

A well-balanced diet is necessary to maintain health and to provide adequate energy to carry out most daily activities. A diet that is nutritionally adequate and which contains all the essential nutrients, especially those needed for energy production, is called an nutritionally balanced diet. An imbalance in the diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies and to inadequate body energy. It is important for individuals to achieve and maintain a diet that meets their specific dietary needs and which provides them with energy sufficient for normal day-to-day activities. Individuals should strive to feed their bodies according to their energy needs.

Diets need to be balanced in order to be successful. An unhealthy diet can lead to weight gain and to chronic diseases. A diet is considered healthy when it contributes to overall good health, when dietary intakes are adjusted to meet the needs of the body without causing substantial caloric imbalance and when food is prepared in a healthy manner. Eating healthy food and making healthy food choices is part of a healthy diet. Individuals should focus on eating lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, poultry, fish and legumes. Whole grain foods, low-fat dairy products and lean meats, with the added step of eliminating trans-fats from the diet, are good dietary choices.

The major components of a healthy diet are protein, carbohydrate, unsaturated fat, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Meals should be selected that meet these requirements and which can be stored easily. Low- calorie and low-sugar foods are especially important to achieve and maintain a healthy diet. It is also important to choose foods that are nutritionally balanced, which means that nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and Vitamin D are consumed in sufficient amounts.

A diet that is rich in vitamins C, E and A ensures strong bones and teeth. Healthy skin, hair and energy promote good health. A diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, helps to reduce arthritis and other degenerative diseases. An active lifestyle and proper diet contribute to a long, healthy life. Lifestyle changes include regular exercise, quitting smoking and quitting alcohol drinking.

The key to a healthy diet is moderation. A diet that is too restrictive leads to nutritional deficiencies and that can lead to adverse effects in the body. On the other hand, a diet that is not balanced may not provide the necessary vitamins or minerals needed. It is important to consult your doctor before starting a diet.