| It has been said that variety is the spice of life, and | | | | avocados, ice cream and bacon. Although all five food |
| that is certainly true when trying to eat a healthy | | | | groups are represented, no one would try to argue |
| diet. No one likes to eat the same thing day after | | | | that this is a healthy day's menu. Choosing the best |
| day, and boredom is the enemy of a healthy diet. | | | | foods from within each group, and eating the less |
| Fortunately for those trying to follow a healthy diet, | | | | healthy foods in moderation, is the best way to |
| there is plenty of variety to be had in healthy foods. | | | | ensure a healthy and varied diet. |
| In addition to the hundreds of varieties of fruits and | | | | For instance, choosing healthy, lean meats is a great |
| vegetables available at the average grocery store, | | | | way to get the protein you need without consuming |
| there is a wide variety of beans, lentils, nuts, meat, | | | | unnecessary fat and calories. And removing fat and |
| dairy products, fish and poultry. There is no need for | | | | skin from chicken is a great way to eliminate extra |
| boredom to set in when pursuing a healthier lifestyle.' | | | | fat and calories. |
| The key to enjoying a variety of foods while eating | | | | When choosing breads and cereals, it is usually best |
| healthy is to plan meals carefully and be sure to use | | | | to choose those that carry the whole grain |
| the many varieties of foods that are available. Using | | | | designation. Whole grains, those that have not been |
| a combination of fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and | | | | overly refined, contain greater nutritional qualities and |
| whole grains, it is possible to create a fresh, exciting | | | | fewer sugars. |
| and healthful meal every day of the week. | | | | In addition, many grains and cereals are fortified with |
| Nutritionists often stress the importance of a varied | | | | additional vitamins and minerals. While this vitamin |
| diet, both for nutritional and psychological reasons. A | | | | fortification is important, it should be seen as a |
| varied diet is essential for good health, since different | | | | bonus, not as a substitute for a proper diet. Many |
| types of foods contain different types of nutrients. | | | | foods are supplemented with important nutrients |
| And following a varied diet is important to your | | | | such as calcium (essential for strong bones and |
| psychological well being as well, since feeling deprived | | | | teeth) and folic acid (important in preventing birth |
| of your favorite foods can lead you to give up your | | | | defects). |
| healthy lifestyle. | | | | Substituting healthier foods for less healthy ones is a |
| It is much better to continue eating the foods you | | | | cornerstone of a healthy diet. For instance, |
| like, but to eat them in moderation. Instead of giving | | | | substituting lean cuts of meat for fattier ones, and |
| up that juicy bacon, for instance, have it as an | | | | substituting skinless chicken or turkey breast for less |
| occasional treat, perhaps pairing it with an egg white | | | | healthy drumsticks, is a great way to maximize |
| omelet instead of a plateful of scrambled eggs. As | | | | nutrition without sacrificing good taste. |
| with everything else in life, good nutrition is a | | | | No matter what your reason for following a healthy |
| tradeoff. | | | | diet, or what your ultimate fitness goals may be, you |
| It is important for everyone to eat foods from the | | | | will find that a good understanding of nutrition will |
| five major food groups each and every day. The | | | | form the basis of your healthy diet. Understanding |
| five food groups identified by the USDA include | | | | how the various food groups work together to form |
| grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy and meat and | | | | a healthy diet will go a long way toward helping you |
| beans. Each of these food groups contains specific | | | | meet your ultimate fitness goals. Whether your goal |
| nutrients, so it is important to eat a combination of | | | | is to run a marathon, lose ten pounds or just feel |
| these foods to ensure proper levels of nutrition. | | | | better, knowledge is power, and nutritional |
| Of course simply choosing foods from the five food | | | | knowledge will power your diet for the rest of your |
| groups is not enough. After all a meal from the five | | | | life. |
| food groups could include cake, candied yams, | | | | |