Weight loss = burning more calories than you eat.
I know it sounds simple, but for many, it’s not easy. If you’re trying to lose weight, there are many popular diets with a variety of food that can help. No matter which diet you choose, the key to weight loss is portion control, calorie tracking, and advanced meal planning. Here’s how it works:
- Before choosing a diet plan, it helps to know how many calories you need each day to accurately measure meal portions. There are several online calculators to help estimate for women and men.
- After estimating your calorie requirements: research food that will help you reach your goals, make a grocery list for the week, and stock up on common healthy ingredients to keep on hand.
- Now, meal prepping can help solidify your eating plan for the week to keep you on track.
So of all the diets to choose from, which one is right for you? There are a few options listed below; however, if you understand the principles above, it shouldn’t matter which diet you try— weight loss just happens when you burn more calories than you eat.
Healthy Plate Guidelines
To lose weight the right way, there’s a clinically proven guideline that is important to follow in order to get the right nutrients. It’s called the Healthy Plate. You can plan your meals from the Healthy Plate guidelines and choose from the many Pack Pantry healthy recipes. Here are a few breakfast recipes and videos, along with some lunch and dinner recipes to help you get started. You can plan your meals around a heart-healthy pantry as well.
If you’re looking to try some of the more popular diets, here are a few to get you started:
The Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND Diet
If you have been asked to cut back on red meat, these three diets are great for heart-healthy meals and weight loss. They include a wide variety of foods that are lower in calories than typical western foods.
The Keto diet calls for the drastic reduction of carbohydrates so that your body uses fat for energy. If done right, the keto diet helps with weight loss while controlling blood sugar and blood cholesterol. This diet doesn’t require fancy recipes—it can be incorporated into the Healthy Plate with protein, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and even starches. However, it isn’t a ticket for unlimited meat and cheese. Your body can make carbs from extra protein and including enough leafy greens is important for fighting off flu-like symptoms called “keto-flu.” If you’re planning on trying this diet, be sure to chat with your Care Team first.
Customize with what works for you!
The Healthy Plate concept, along with the many diet plan recipes available, can help you figure out what delicious foods to put together in healthy portions to achieve good eating habits to last a lifetime! If you need help, be sure to talk with your Health Advisor and consult your Care Team before making any major changes to your diet.
Sources
http://www.healthy-diet-habits.com/diet-plans.html
http://www.healthy-diet-habits.com/healthy-diet-habits.html
https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/nutrition/eating-well-for-mental-health#:~:text=To%20boost%20your%20mental%20health,are%20also%20excellent%20brain%20foods.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/dash-eating-plan