The best diet food list for weight loss is one that is abundant in high fiber, low fat foods. If you find yourself needing to shed a few pounds, or just want to begin to eat healthier, the following foods are a great place to start. Eating right, when combined with regular exercise can get your body and your health to where you and need it to be in a relatively short amount of time.
The importance of drinking water cannot be stressed enough. The consensus is that six to eight cups of water a day (and those are measurement cups by the way) are essential for optimum hydration. The very best way to do this is to carry around a refillable water bottle with you and take sips through out the day. It is not necessary to force yourself to drink large amounts of water at a time. Sipping is fine, and if you replace your usual meal beverage with the water in your bottle you will not only get enough water throughout your day, but you will save calories, feel full faster and help your body better digest your meals.
Vegetables are a great source of fiber, water and nutrients. They should constitute about half your meal. If you think that that seems overwhelming consider that the portion does not have to be the same vegetable. A portion of homemade, low fat mashed potatoes can be eaten with a serving a broccoli while the carrots in a soup can be accompanied by a salad, etc.
Fruits follow veggies in that they also provide fiber and vitamins but this includes natural sugars in this particular group. Eat them in the mornings for breakfast or take some along as snacks. Consume raw fruits instead of fruit juice or overly processed dry fruit. Two to three servings a day is plenty.
Dairy should be monitored. Some products, like live active culture yogurts are great for your digestive system and should be included often. Others such as high fat milks, creams and cheeses should be used sparingly since they contain fats an cholesterol that in large quantities are not beneficial to your health. Low fat or Fat Free milks are best, although there are many great substitutes out there if you are lactose intolerant or just looking for other options.
Lean meats should be eaten instead of pork or beef. Poultry and fish are the best options for protein and low fat content. Do not be mislead by seafood though. Some crustaceans are very high in cholesterol.
Eating foods such as oats and legumes as well as grains are also very good for your body. In fact, these are the best carbohydrates to eat. Avoid bleached flour breads and pastas and limit the amount you eat of either, since they tend to be calorie dense.
Some alternative foods, such as tofu, polenta and rice cakes can help fill in your diet. Tofu for example can be used as a meat substitute and does well in a great variety of dishes, from salad to pasta sauces to pizza. Polenta is a northern Italian substitute for pasta and is often made of cornmeal or potatoes and spices. Rice cakes offer texture, crunch and make a great low calorie snack. Substitute them for your morning toast. Add nut butters, spreads, fruit, preserves or sauces to top them off. Incorporate these foods into your diet and you will look and feel better much sooner than you would think.
The importance of drinking water cannot be stressed enough. The consensus is that six to eight cups of water a day (and those are measurement cups by the way) are essential for optimum hydration. The very best way to do this is to carry around a refillable water bottle with you and take sips through out the day. It is not necessary to force yourself to drink large amounts of water at a time. Sipping is fine, and if you replace your usual meal beverage with the water in your bottle you will not only get enough water throughout your day, but you will save calories, feel full faster and help your body better digest your meals.
Vegetables are a great source of fiber, water and nutrients. They should constitute about half your meal. If you think that that seems overwhelming consider that the portion does not have to be the same vegetable. A portion of homemade, low fat mashed potatoes can be eaten with a serving a broccoli while the carrots in a soup can be accompanied by a salad, etc.
Fruits follow veggies in that they also provide fiber and vitamins but this includes natural sugars in this particular group. Eat them in the mornings for breakfast or take some along as snacks. Consume raw fruits instead of fruit juice or overly processed dry fruit. Two to three servings a day is plenty.
Dairy should be monitored. Some products, like live active culture yogurts are great for your digestive system and should be included often. Others such as high fat milks, creams and cheeses should be used sparingly since they contain fats an cholesterol that in large quantities are not beneficial to your health. Low fat or Fat Free milks are best, although there are many great substitutes out there if you are lactose intolerant or just looking for other options.
Lean meats should be eaten instead of pork or beef. Poultry and fish are the best options for protein and low fat content. Do not be mislead by seafood though. Some crustaceans are very high in cholesterol.
Eating foods such as oats and legumes as well as grains are also very good for your body. In fact, these are the best carbohydrates to eat. Avoid bleached flour breads and pastas and limit the amount you eat of either, since they tend to be calorie dense.
Some alternative foods, such as tofu, polenta and rice cakes can help fill in your diet. Tofu for example can be used as a meat substitute and does well in a great variety of dishes, from salad to pasta sauces to pizza. Polenta is a northern Italian substitute for pasta and is often made of cornmeal or potatoes and spices. Rice cakes offer texture, crunch and make a great low calorie snack. Substitute them for your morning toast. Add nut butters, spreads, fruit, preserves or sauces to top them off. Incorporate these foods into your diet and you will look and feel better much sooner than you would think.
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