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What Is a Diet Plan?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

A diet plan, which is sometimes called an eating plan, is a regulated eating strategy used by people who need special dietary restrictions. In many cases, these restrictions are necessary for weight loss, but there are also diet plans used by people who have gluten intolerance or special food sensitivities. Regulating what a person eats can allow for that person to get all of his or her nutritional requirements without indulging in unnecessary foods. Likewise, diet plans can help isolate where problematic diet areas might lie based on physical results from the diet. When choosing a diet plan, it is important to remember that not every diet will work for every person, and even those that are effective promote health only when followed precisely. Fortunately, there are fitness apps that make it easy to manage your workouts and meal plans on a daily basis.

One of the most common reasons for planned eating involves weight loss or changes in body fat. There are many different diet plans of this type and not all of these plans are healthy. For example, drinking only lemonade as a diet plan will certainly make a person lose weight but it will not support the body's needs for very long. On the other hand, eating special planned meals designed with balanced nutrition and low calories is a sustainable diet plan that can evolve with the needs of the individual over time.

Balanced nutrition and low calorie intake can lead to weight loss.
Balanced nutrition and low calorie intake can lead to weight loss.

Other types of diet plans address specific allergies or intolerances. Some people, for example, cannot tolerate milk but still need to consume a sufficient amount of calcium. Special dietary alterations, sometimes involving full diet plans, can accommodate issues like this. More difficult diet plans might address gluten intolerance or an inability to eat meat.

A variety of foods containing carbohydrates, protein, and fats make up a balanced diet.
A variety of foods containing carbohydrates, protein, and fats make up a balanced diet.

A diet plan may be essential to life for people with certain health risks and disorders. People who are diabetic must carefully monitor what they eat in order to stay alive, and planning can help with this problem. For those who suffer from high cholesterol or stomach illnesses, a specific diet plan can be life saving in the long term. Even people who are merely getting older can benefit from a diet plan designed to extend life. When a doctor prescribes an eating plan, it is usually not an optional step and may be the only way to maintain health.

Any well-balanced diet plan should include several servings of fiber-rich grains and fresh fruits daily.
Any well-balanced diet plan should include several servings of fiber-rich grains and fresh fruits daily.

The problem with choosing a diet plan is that there are many different perspectives on what is and is not healthy in a diet. One of the most famous paradoxes involves the typical French diet, which includes many foods that most people would consider unhealthy. This diet, however, is popular within a culture that emphasizes walking, small portions, and slow meals, which in the end results in people who are thinner on average. For this reason, it is important to consider not only the foods that go into any planned diet, but also the activities and lifestyle surrounding that diet. You can also consider working with a certified nutritionist to help you reach your fitness goals with one-on-one support

Discussion Comments

Ocelot60

@heavanet- I think that there two very important types of foods that you should add to your weekly diet meal plan to help you reach your cholesterol goals. The first are foods that contain high levels of omega fatty acids.

Omega fatty acids are oils that basically are considered "good" fats that work by building up protection in the body against "bad" fats. Studies have shown that they potentially prevent plaque from building up in the arteries. Fish, flax, green leafy vegetables, and nuts are all good sources of omega fatty acids.

Whole grains are the other types of foods that may actually help you reduce your cholesterol numbers. These foods contain fiber that acts as a cleaners that grabs and removes bad fats from the body. Oatmeal, whole grain cereals, and whole grain breads all have heart-helping fiber in them, and should be added to your cholesterol-reducing diet.

Heavanet

I have slightly elevated cholesterol levels, but I am otherwise healthy. My doctor suggested that I try to get my cholesterol numbers down to normal by eating a low fat diet plan. It is hard to make these changes, but I am determined. What are some tasty food that I can add to my diet plan that will help me reach my goals?

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    • Balanced nutrition and low calorie intake can lead to weight loss.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Balanced nutrition and low calorie intake can lead to weight loss.
    • A variety of foods containing carbohydrates, protein, and fats make up a balanced diet.
      By: Eugenio Chelli
      A variety of foods containing carbohydrates, protein, and fats make up a balanced diet.
    • Any well-balanced diet plan should include several servings of fiber-rich grains and fresh fruits daily.
      By: kentoh
      Any well-balanced diet plan should include several servings of fiber-rich grains and fresh fruits daily.
    • Diet plans may emphasize eating smaller portions.
      By: Ana Blazic Pavlovic
      Diet plans may emphasize eating smaller portions.