Healthy Diets
Cooking and eating are two of life's great pleasures, but a desire to enjoy fine foods doesn't have to mean sacrificing healthy nutrition. With the right information, it's easy to prepare and eat meals that are both good for the body and good for the soul.
Patricia Greenberg has always had a passion for food. A nutritionist, chef, and cookbook author, she operates The Fitness Gourmet, a Los Angeles nutrition consulting firm. Patricia is an expert in healthy menu planning with an emphasis on organic food and environmental awareness. She offers these quick tips for those looking to eat healthier, better-tasting meals.
- All food groups.
You shouldn't eliminate any one food category from your diet. Eliminating carbohydrates or sticking to an all-protein diet is not necessarily healthy. It's also unwise to cut all fats from your diet. Your body needs and uses all three of these substances in varying amounts.
- Vegetable oil.
Fats in the form of vegetable-based oils are good for you. These can include olive oil, peanut oil, almond oil, or soy oil.
- Reduce saturated fats.
According to Patricia, you should really keep an eye on saturated fats and try to keep them to a minimum. In most diets, saturated fats come from meat, milk, milk products, and baked goods.
- Moderation.
Patricia is a big fan of the old phrase "everything in moderation." If you absolutely love a food that you know isn't good for you, just try to eat it a lot less often. By sticking with this philosophy, you can enjoy your diet, lead a pleasurable life, and not feel deprived.
For more information on healthy diets and nutrition, check out the following organizations and websites:
USDA Food and Nutrition Information center
Agricultural Research Service, USDA
National Agricultural Library, Room 105
10301 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
301-504-5719
www.nal.usda.gov
American Dietetic Association
216 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
312-899-0040
www.nutrition.gov
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