Diet Plans

It seems like every other day a new diet makes its way to the market. There are literally thousands of diet plans currently in the public lexicon; finding the right one that fits your specific needs can be a daunting task. Luckily, though, we've done the legwork for you! Our simple explanations of the hot new diet trends on this list will help you figure out which one(s) make the most sense for you -- trust us, there's something for everyone to be found here. (Actually sticking to one of these diet plans, however, is something you'll have to do yourself!)

For many, no phrase in the English language is more bone chilling than "weight loss plan." It's generally assumed that, once people dedicate themselves to a weight loss diet, all the joy they once took in eating falls by the wayside. Weight loss recipes usually focus on nutrition, not flavor – as such, it's hard for most folks to get excited about typical healthy diet food options. Steamed veggies? Brown rice? Are those the only foods dieters have to look forward to? In a word, no. Not all weight loss foods have to be bland and flavorless. It is possible to eat right, lose weight and not sacrifice a bit of taste. Want to eat right on your terms? Take a look at these suggestions!

If you're trying to lose weight, it can be a challenging and tough task that needs both diet and exercise to happen. Although you want quick and easy weight loss, diet and exercise should be taken seriously when you're trying to lose pounds. Also, it's important to focus on healthy ways of losing weight instead of starving yourself and overdoing it with the exercise.

For those who are wanting to lose weight and needing healthy weight loss diet tips, a good online destination for tips, recipes, and more information on how to lose weight in healthy ways is WebMD's Healthy Eating & Diet Center. With interactive tools like a personal diet evaluator, food and fitness planner, and BMI calculator, and an entire section of healthy weight loss diet recipes, you will be well on your way to losing weight with no cost to you. With diet and fitness tips, weight loss news articles, and healthy eating guides, this diet center can be all that you'll need on your weight loss journey.

A healthy eating plan is important for everyone, but for those of you athletes who expend extraordinary amounts of energy on a regular basis, it's especially important that you provide your body with the proper nutrition to keep you performing at your peak. Runners have some special dietary needs -- most notably, small amounts of extra carbohydrates and extra proteins to fuel all that activity!

Any healthy eating plan should have a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. You'll also want to make sure that the essential vitamins and minerals (especially calcium and iron) are provided for you, preferably through the food you eat, but also through supplements. A good breakdown of dietary needs in a healthy eating plan might look like: 50-55% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein, and 25-30% fat. You can adjust those as needed to fit your actual exercise profile and fitness goals, but what foods provide the elements is just as important as how much you consume. You'll want to look for high-quality, fresh food as often as possible. Pre-packaged energy bars and the like are great for convenience, but make sure you see some real, fresh food on a regular basis!

Carbohydrates: Complex carbs are the way to go. These are the types found in the starch in plant foods -- fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, etc. Fiber is also your friend here -- it will slow the rate at which your body can absorb the carbs and therefore keep your metabolism and blood sugars levels more regular, and conveniently enough is also often found in fresh plant products. Simple carbohydrates, like those found in most forms of sugar or sweeteners, should only make up about 10% of a healthy eating plan.

Proteins: Look for protein sources that are low in fat and cholesterol. Good choices include lean meats and poultry, fish, low fat dairy products, beans, and whole grains. The USDA recommends about .36 grams of protein per pound of body weight for non-runners and about .42 to .76 grams of protein per pound for distance runners. It is still possible to get these amounts of protein without eating meat too -- just concentrate on protein-rich grains, vegetables, and legumes, which are part of any healthy eating plan.

Fats: Yes, you do also need a significant amount of fat in a healthy eating plan! The trick is to pick the right kinds of fats. Choose foods whose fat comes from heart-healthy sources, typically those found in vegetable, nut, and fish sources.

And the last, but perhaps most important component of any healthy eating plan (especially one for runners), is water. It's important to stay hydrated at all times, and runners put themselves in danger of becoming dehydrated every time they run. Make sure you drink before, during, and after a run. Simple water is your best bet -- sports drinks are fine occasionally and you can grab one if your body is craving sodium, but the additives in most are too much to be something that you drink all the time. A good sign of a properly hydrated body is clear urine.

Before you embark on any drastic change in exercise plans or diet, check with a doctor. Special thanks for the advice from The Distance Runner's Diet, Diet and Nutrition for Runners, and The Runner's Diet.

A low calorie diet is by far the best way to drop those extra pounds. Fad diets come and go, but experts agree that by consuming fewer calories than you burn, the weight will eventually come off. But while eating a low calorie diet is guaranteed to give you the results you want, sticking to one can be hard. Lots of dieters have been derailed by the dreaded hunger pangs that often go hand in hand with low calorie diets.

But a low calorie diet food plan doesn't have to mean feeling hungry all the time. By choosing foods that are high in fiber and protein, you can feel full and satisfied without blowing your diet. To help you keep your focus and maintain discipline, we've put together a list of our favorite low calorie diet foods that have the protein and fiber you need to stay on track. But remember, the specifics of a low calorie diet plan will vary from person to person. Always check with your physician before embarking on any diet.

Snacks
The bad news is that snacking has been the downfall of many a determined dieter. The good news is that it is possible to enjoy snacks while on a low calorie diet if you know what to eat. Here are some suggestions for low calorie diet snacks that will fill you up without sabotaging your weight loss goals.

• Popcorn - Super filling and delicious, popcorn is a staple in many low calorie diet plans. While there are lots of great tasting low calorie and reduced fat microwavable popcorn brands available, air-popped is the healthiest way to go. With lots of fiber and a satisfying crunch, popcorn may be the world's most perfect snack.
  


• Edamame - A young soy bean, edamame is a high protein, low calorie diet food that is easy to prepare and fun to eat. Available fresh or frozen, edamame beans can be steamed or boiled in the pod and enjoyed hot or cold.


• Beef Jerky - Not just for cowboys anymore, beef jerky is essentially beef that his been trimmed of fat, seasoned and dried. High in protein and low in fat, a serving of beef jerky is a satisfying snack when you are on a low calorie diet.

Meals
When planning meals for your low calorie diet, including foods that are high in fiber and protein will help you meet your goals with while keeping you satisfied. Just remember, how much you eat is as important as what you eat. Practicing good portion control will help you meet your weight loss goals quicker.

• Beans - Kidney, garbanzo or black beans are all great low calorie sources of fiber and protein. Doctor up a bowl of beans with some spices and salsa for a satisfying dinner that will help you make it through the night without blowing your low calorie diet plan.


• Tuna - Because this versatile fish can be purchased fresh, frozen or canned, tuna is the perfect dinner choice for both accomplished chefs and kitchen novices. Super high in protein, tuna can be enjoyed simply grilled or in low calorie diet dishes like tuna salad or tuna chowder.


• Egg Whites - Skip the high cholesterol yolks and make high protein egg whites a staple of your low calorie diet. Boiled and chopped in a salad or scrambled into a healthy omelet, egg whites are a filling and nutritious choice.

Whether for snacking or at meals, no healthy, low calorie diet plan is complete with out plenty of fruits and vegetables. Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower provide a great protein boost with very little calories. High protein fruits include oranges, strawberries and bananas. And you can boost your daily fiber intake without wrecking your low calorie diet by eating lots of raspberries, apples, pears, corn, turnip greens and peas.