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Friday, August 21, 2009

Healthy Diet Foods



Healthy food does not have to be bland, tasteless food that is more of a chore than a treat to eat. When many people hear the term healthy food their taste buds immediately start to rebel – and it is no small wonder why.Generally speaking when we think of healthy food we think there is no possibility that we may actually enjoy eating healthy food. After all, if it is good for us, how good can it possibly be? People generally do not think about delish meats and fish, wonderful cheeses, tasty vegetables and dried fruits, wonderful nuts, red wine and other such wonderful foods and beverages. Some may be shocked to learn that this is all actually healthy food that is also delicious. This “new” healthy food is anything but new. In fact, this delicious and healthy food has been around for centuries and enjoyed by millions of people. This healthy food is none other than the Mediterranean diet. Before you run for the hills, the term “diet” is referring to a way of eating, not a list of things you can no longer enjoy. The Mediterranean diet, or way of eating, has helped countless men and women live long, happy, healthy lives while enjoying wonderful meals. The Mediterranean culture puts a strong emphasis on food, family and friends. Wonderful healthy foods are enjoyed throughout the day without ever feeling that you are depriving yourself. Millions of Americans have been looking for healthy foods in order to improve their overall health and wellbeing. With tens of millions of people being clinically obese and many more being overweight, finding healthy foods should be viewed as a mandate. All too many people become debilitated or die each and every year as a result of bad eating habits that lead to heart disease, diabetes and countless other ailments. Finding healthy foods that you can enjoy is an important first step in your battle against the bulge or perhaps your quest simply to eat better and feel better. Diet after diet is introduced, becomes insanely popular and then disappears as quickly as it rose to fame. Healthy foods generally are nowhere to be found on these diets that can range from diets you do in three days to diets you are supposed to do for the rest of your life. The Mediterranean diet, or way of eating, has been around for centuries, yet it has only been in recent years that researchers have turned to the Mediterranean diet to learn what is truly the healthiest diet in history. The wonderful healthy foods that constitute the Mediterranean diet are easy to prepare, wonderful to enjoy and best of all are healthy. Finding these healthy foods does not mean buying a plane ticket to Greece. Though, that should not stop you from visiting Greece, you have to remember you are unable to bring food back in your luggage – Customs simply will not allow it!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Healthy Diet Foods



Choose a healthier side dish. Take advantage of healthy side dishes offered at many fast-food restaurants. For example, instead of french fries choose a side salad with low-fat dressing or a baked potato. Or add a fruit bowl or a fruit and yogurt option to your meal. Other healthy choices include apple or orange slices, corn on the cob, steamed rice, or baked potato chips.
Go for the greens. Choose a large entree salad with grilled chicken, shrimp or garden vegetables with fat-free or low-fat dressing on the side, rather than regular salad dressing, which can have 300 or more calories per packet. Watch out for high-calorie salads, such as those with deep-fried shells or those topped with breaded chicken or other fried toppings. Also, skip salad extras such as cheese, bacon bits, croutons and fried chips, which quickly increase your calorie count.
Opt for grilled items. Fried and breaded foods, such as crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish fillets, are high in fat and calories. Select grilled or roasted lean meats — such as turkey or chicken breast, lean ham, or lean roast beef.
Have it your way. Don't settle for what comes with your sandwich or meal. Ask for healthier options and substitutions. For example, ask for reduced-fat mayonnaise or mustard on your sandwich. Or at a fast-food Mexican restaurant, request salsa with your meal instead of shredded cheese and nacho cheese sauce. Try to avoid special dressings, tartar sauce, sour cream and other high-calorie condiments.
Watch what you drink. Many beverages contain a large number of calories. For example, a large soda (32 ounces) has about 400 calories. Instead, order diet soda, water, unsweetened iced tea, sparkling water or mineral water. Also, skip the shakes and other ice-cream drinks, which can contain more than 1,000 calories and all of your saturated fat allotment for the day.
You can eat healthy away from home, even at fast-food restaurants. The bottom line: Be choosy. Make wise menu choices and focus on portion control.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Healthy Diet Foods


Healthy Diet Foods


Healthy Diet Foods



Healthy Diet Foods

Fit fast food into your weight-loss or healthy diet plan. Make wise meal choices and practice moderation in portion control and menu selections.
Can fast food be part of a weight-loss or healthy diet plan? You might not think so. In fact, you might even think that you can't have a meal that's both quick and healthy.
But this isn't necessarily so. An occasional stop at a fast-food restaurant can fit into a healthy diet plan. The key is to choose wisely.
Keep portion sizes small. If the fast-food restaurant offers several sandwich sizes, pick the smallest or order half a sandwich, if available. Bypass hamburgers with two or three beef patties, which can pack more than 1,000 calories and 70 grams of fat. Instead, choose a regular- or children's-sized hamburger, which has about 250 to 300 calories. Also, skip the large serving of french fries or onion rings and ask for a small serving instead. This switch alone saves about 300 calories. Or better yet, select a lower calorie option.