Although there are an ever-growing number of diet books, plans and groups, many people just want to achieve weight loss by sensible healthy eating, rather than following a particular fad or fashion. But where to start your weight loss program? Well, the most basic and probably one of the best guides that you have, is your own common sense.
Most dieters these days have already amassed enough information about what is and isn't good for weight loss, to be able to decide whether or not a particular food is healthy, or is likely to help, hinder or otherwise affect their diet.
Very often it all comes down to a matter of balance. You know that there are certain things that, unless you have particular medical problems, are generally thought to be good foods that can help you to be healthier and lose those extra pounds.
Most dieticians would agree that eating good portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day is going to be good for you. Also unless you are on a low carb weight loss diet wholegrain foods such as pasta, whole grain bread and rice are usually accepted as being beneficial, both generally and for weight loss.
These days drinking is also very much in focus for those who wish to achieve both weight loss and a benefit to their health. It is generally thought that too much alcohol is not a good and may bring about a variety of health problems, although small amounts may not be a bad thing.
Water, especially spring water, is thought by many nutritionists to be very beneficial to the health and there are some who say that it can also be helpful to those who are concerned about weight loss. Some encourage drinking water before meals as this can take the edge from the hunger and will let the dieter have smaller meals without feeling as though they haven’t had enough.
Lean meat and fish and also the occasional portion of oily fish such as salmon, are another group of foods that are usually thought to be beneficial to weight loss and general health. And also seeds, pulses and many dieticians recommend nuts as being beneficial.
There are, of course, many foods that are not generally recommended by dieticians as be effective for weight loss, such as refined sugar products and many fried and especially deep fried foods, such as French Fries. Although a certain amount of olive oil is recommended by many health professionals.
It is of course not just the food that you eat, but the way that you eat it that is thought to have an effect both on your health and your weight loss. Many people skip breakfast but many health professionals believe that this is not a good way, to either start the day, or to achieve any kind of weight loss benefit.
Generally it is a matter of good sense and a reasonable knowledge of what foods are good and should be eaten daily and what are not so good and should be eaten only occasionally. Despite having the ability to work out their own diet many still buy the many diet books that are on offer to have a specific plan to work to.
Some find that it helps to have it written down so that they know whether to eat a particular food or not. But if you want to there is no reason why you should not be able to decide on a good diet and healthy weight loss plan, although it is always a good idea to check with your doctor before you start a new diet.