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"What is a good diet?" you might ask. I personally think of a diet as how I eat everyday * not just when losing weight * but also when maintaining a healthy weight. But the majority of folks associate the word "diet" with weight loss. So that's the meaning I'll use in this article. Now let's cover some of the characteristics of what is a good diet.

First, a good diet satisfies all your nutritional needs. And it's also one you can stay on.

It should have an adequate number of calories. There is a minimum that you can't go below and still lose weight healthfully. Check with your doctor to find out what your minimum is. For most people it never drops below 1200 calories. So, if you ask, "What is a good diet?" the answer might be one that gives you enough to eat.

Health care professionals don't want you on a diet that makes you lose unhealthy amounts of weight. Other than the first week or two, you should only be losing 1 or 2 pounds per week. The only exception is if you*re under a doctor's care.

A diet that offers a variety of foods is on the right track. This way you have proper nutrition and you won't get bored. The foods should be readily available, too. Something to consider: If your diet program sends you special foods to eat, you won't be able to stick with it if your shipment arrives late. This can lead to diet failure.

A good diet restricts certain choices. You should be able to eat only limited amounts of fats in your foods. Sugar and other simple carbohydrates should rarely be consumed. Also, it is not a good idea to drink too much alcohol. A diet that allows you to eat or drink very much of these items is not a healthy diet.

That's what a good diet restricts, but what's included? Every meal should have certain nutritional groups: Carbohydrates, protein, and a small amount of fat. They should also be in the right proportions for healthy eating.

Having smaller meals more than 3 times a day is another sign of a good diet. The less you eat at any one time, the easier it is for your body to metabolize the food without turning it into fat. Another reason to eat 5 or 6 smaller meals is to keep your body from going into starvation mode. When your brain senses hunger, this is what happens and it automatically sends signals to store fat for survival.

A newer solution to the search for a good diet is one that includes calorie cycling. This is a concept born of the bodybuilding movement. Bodybuilders who want to gain muscle will eat more calories for five days and fewer calories for two days. The application of this idea for dieters is to eat fewer calories for 5 days, and eat a few more for 2 days. This will help you lose weight while maintaining the muscle mass you have.

When you ask "What is a good diet?" think of all the things you want from it. If you want your diet to keep you healthy, demand it. If you want it to be convenient for you, do not accept a diet that isn't. Having a right diet makes all the difference when it comes to losing weight successfully.