Choosing healthy diet foods mainly depends on the general orientation of your body. If you are lean, slim or thin and you want to gain some pounds, your food would comprise items, which are rich in calories. On the other hand, people who would be trying to lose some extra pounds will opt for the foods that are low in calories. But again calories can be healthful or harmful. Therefore, there is a need to strike a right balance while taking healthy diet foods.
Your body requires a certain amount of nutrients from the food taken. Prominent of these nutrients are protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and water. Carbohydrates are the source of energy, proteins are the basic building blocks of a cell, vitamins and minerals are vital in the body functioning while the fats provides calories in much quantity in the body.
Potatoes are among the very healthy diet foods. They are rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin-C, and can be cooked in a many different ways; it can be steamed, boiled and fried to give you beta-carotene. It also provides essential fats to your body.
Speaking of healthy diet foods, fruits and different vegetables are also important as they contain a lot of vitamins, minerals and water. Fruits and vegetables keep you healthy by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and provide you fiber and photo-chemicals. Green fruits and leafy vegetables are excellent sources of Vitamin C, A and K, which also provide you iron, potassium and manganese. Regular use of fruits and vegetables also reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Whole grains and beans are also healthy diet foods. Whole grains like brown rice, millet and maize contain fiber, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and photo-chemicals. Similarly, beans cater for your needs of iron, zinc, protein and potassium. Proteins found in beans are considered better than those obtained from animal sources.
Soups are one of the most healthy diet foods because of the variety of ingredients you can put in. Given your calorie priorities, you can lessen or increase the amount of calories in a single serving of soup. They can be made with meat, vegetables, dry fruits and variety of spices, thus giving you all necessary nutrients. Soups are also beneficial for people on a diet because it satiates your stomach and keeps your hunger pangs in control.
Animal meat like beef and mutton is an excellent source of protein, iron and fiber. This meat is abundantly rich in calories; therefore, people struggling with weight problems should take care while consuming it. They may prefer white meat like chicken and fish to compensate it. White meat especially of fishes also contains Omega 3, which helps improve blood flow in veins and strengthens heart. Besides, meat also provides you necessary Amino acids and Trans-fats, however, excessive intake of meat can create health issues.
Dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese etc are also healthy diet foods which are rich in calcium and fats. Calcium is vital for increasing reproduction rate of cells and providing strength to our teeth and bones. Lack of calcium in the body can result in weaker bones, arthritis and dental diseases. Flavored dairy products provide you with extra calories due to their flavor. However, if you are on a low calorie diet, you should opt for skimmed milk and unsweetened yogurt, which are low in calorie, however, they still provide you with calcium.
Various kinds of drinks should also be a part of your healthy diet foods. Coffee for example, provides you caffeine, which is considered good in refreshing your brain cells. Similarly, red and green tea contains flavonoid, which keeps the body active and relaxes tense muscles. Fresh fruit juices also give you Vitamin-C and minerals. Besides, low calorie alcoholic drinks can also be taken which leaves good effects on your skin and improve the flow of blood in your body.
Apart from the natural sources, processed diet foods are also good to be taken with moderation. Loaf, brown bread, crisp-breads and lots of other processed foods contain a good amount of fiber, Vitamin A and C. These foods are usually nutritious and rich in calories. However, their low calorie alternatives are also available.
To sum up the discussion, we can say that we have gotten a vast variety of healthy diet foods to consume, but a careful balance is always required to provide your body with all necessary nutrients and the right amount of calories. A balanced diet will not only keep you healthy and strong, but will also prevent you from many diseases, usually suffered because of poor choice of foods intake.
