When considering what to include in a weight loss diet, there
are two factors that you should always consider early. The first
is whether or not your chosen diet will be sufficiently
nutritious to keep you healthy. The second is if the diet will
be tasty enough to maintain your interest, rather than for you
to opt out through boredom.
It is possible to address both of these concerns at the same
time by considering health food vitamins, and in so doing you
may be in for some pleasant surprises. Much will depend in your
tastes in food, but with experimentation, you should be able to
construct a diet, within the guidelines of your nutritionist and
doctor, that is also interesting enough to enable you to not
only stick to the diet but enjoy it also.
If you are able to end up with a diet that you can really enjoy,
then there is a chance that it will become a lifelong habit. It
is possible to make permanent changes; I know that from personal
experience. Initially, it can be difficult to make drastic
changes, but it can be done much easier if you are enjoying the
food you are eating. In many cases, drastic changes may not even
be needed, but that is something it is best to discuss with your
doctor in relation to your own health and weight problem.
I have selected five of my best diet foods, health foods rich in
vitamins and other nutrients, which will provide you with some
of the most important nutrients to sustain you during your diet:
Tomatoes
I find tomatoes one of the most versatile and useful foods for
cooking, and can be used to add interest to all sorts of meals,
such as curries, casseroles and soups. Tomatoes go well with
lean meats, or mixed with other vegetables, when used for
cooking. They are also delicious raw, if you can find good
tomatoes rather than the insipidly flavoured tomatoes you may
find in the supermarket.
Tomatoes also happen to be one of the most valuable health
foods, rich in lycopene, plus vitamins A and C. Lycopene is a
powerful antioxidant, which is why much scientific attention has
been paid to tomatoes in recent years. Lycopene's ability to
neutralize free radicals that cause cell damage has been the
centre of attention, due to the possible potential in cancer
prevention.
Tomatoes also have one other special asset. That is, that the
nutrients are not destroyed during cooking, and even processed
tomato products such as tomato sauce or ketchup, and canned
tomatoes, retain the nutritional benefits. Tomatoes are
therefore my health food super hero.
Garlic
When it comes to making boring foods tasty, garlic is way up
there amongst the best. Along with tomatoes, garlic is an
important part of the Mediterranean Diet. Like tomatoes, it can
be used with just about any other cooked food, so whatever your
diet regime is, you should find you can utilize garlic widely to
satisfy your palate.
Garlic has some important nutrients too, such as calcium,
vitamin C and vitamin B6, phosphorus and selenium, plus
antibiotic properties.
Basil
Basil is a humble and popular herb that can be used liberally to
bring its distinctive flavour to other foods. What you may not
realize is that basil also packs a punch when it comes to
calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and vitamin C. Also, basil is a
good source of iron, potassium and magnesium, and carotenoids
such as beta carotene.
How about tomato and basil soup, with a touch of garlic? A super
combo of health foods that will fit into most diets.
Strawberries
The mention of strawberries seems like a self indulgence; their
flavour to some can seem too good to be true (me included).
Well, indulge, because the strawberry is a great health food
too, with some nutrients you may not have anticipated.
Strawberries contain Vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese, folic
acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper,
magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids.
Strawberries are best fresh and eaten on their own. (Please read
carefully. I did not say strawberries should be eaten laced in
sugar with a dollop of clotted cream.)
Spinach
Many may turn their noses up at the mention of spinach; I know I
did as a child. However, once you discover its true flavour,
spinach does make an excellent food as a side vegetable, in a
soup or in a curry. All the old stories about the goodness of
spinach were true, as it contains Vitamin C, iron, beta carotene
and calcium., plus vitamins E and K, fibre, lutein and
zeaxanthin (carotenoids).
Those are just a few ideas for healthy foods, rich in nutrients,
that can add flavour and interest to your diet, as you set out
to make a permanent lifestyle change to lose weight.
About the author:
This
best diet food article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner
and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website.
