Diet Chart For Weight Loss And Healthy Snack Recipes

In 1992 the USDA developed the food guide pyramid to support these dietary guidelines. According to its developers, the pyramid is based on USDA's research on what foods Americans eat. What nutrients are in these foods and how to make the best food choices for you. The pyramid is an outline of what to eat each day. lt's not a rigid prescription, but a general guide or diet chart for weight loss, that lets you choose a healthful diet that's right for you.

The food pyramid shows a variety of foods to get the nutrients you need, and at the same time.. the right amount of calories to maintain or improve your weight. The food pyramid also focuses on fat because most American diets are too high in fat, especially saturated fats.

Eating a balanced diet with a diet chart for weight loss, encourages you to consume a variety of foods and this is why the food guide pyramid and diet chart for weight loss is so helpful. when using it, you will find that all the food groups are equally important. You need foods from each group, but in differing amounts.

* Complex Carbohydrates Make a Strong Base.

At the base of the pyramid are the complex carbohydrates-bread, cereal, rice, and pasta. They appear at the bottom because they provide you with a good energy base on which to build a balanced diet. You should eat six to eleven servings of foods in this category daily. Complex carbohydrates are the best source of energy available. With a diet chart for weight loss, you can think of complex carbohydrates as time-release energy capsules. By eating 6 to 11 of these "capsules" throughout the day, you will have energy to sustain your activities.

* Fruits and Vegetables.

The fruit and vegetable groups make up the next level of the pyramid. Vegetables are important sources of vitamins and some of the needed micronutrients, such as iron and magnesium. Vegetables contain little or no fat and good sources of vegetables keep the digestive system working properly.

The food pyramid and diet chart for weight, recommends eating two to four servings of fruit daily. Fruits are great sources of vitamins A and C as Well as a primary source of dietary potassium, which is needed for many chemical reactions in our bodies. Fruits are also low in fat and sodium.

* Protein-Rich Foods.

The next level of the pyramid includes foods high in protein. Dairy group products are good sources of protein and calcium, which is necessary for proper bone growth. Although the food pyramid suggests two to three servings from this group daily, choosing products made With reduced-fat milk, will decrease the amount of calories and fat you eat while obtaining the protein and calcium you need.

* Nutrition Sense and Eating Balanced Meals.

Meats, poultry, and fish are also excellent sources of protein. Many people who avoid meat eat legumes (dried beans and peas) as their primary source of dietary protein. Although legumes are vegetables, they are included in the meat, poultry, and fish group because of their high protein content, However proteins from legumes are not as rich in essential amino acids as are meat proteins.

Vegetarians must keep this in mind when planning their diets. Besides proteins, foods in this group provide many of the B Vitamins as well as iron and zinc, the diet chart for weight loss 'pyramid', suggests two x three servings from this food category daily.

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