 Eating a Healthy meal is important in maintaining a healthy weight and staying healthy. You should divide your plate into four sections. Two of these sections (1/2) of your plate should be filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. If fresh is next to impossible, especially out of season when the prices soar, try frozen. Frozen vegetables and fruit are frozen right after picking and washing. This process keeps them fresher and all the nutrients are not cooked out. If you have to use canned fruit, opt for the light variety and rinse it thoroughly to wash away the sugary syrup they are stored in. If you must have dressing with your fresh veggies, use a light kind, or make your own. Do not pour the dressing on top of the veggies, leave it in a dish on the side and dip your vegetables in it.
The next portion of your plate (1/4) should be for your protein. Turkey, skinless chicken, fish or very lean cuts of beef. Stay away from the deep fried and breaded varieties. Broiled, baked or grilled is a much healther option. Stay away from marinates and sauces as much as possible as these items often use a lot of sugar and/or salt and can contain unwanted calories.
The last section of your plate (1/4) is reserved for carbohydrates, although you need these, you don't need a ton of them. Stick with whole grain pasta or rice. These are your best choices. Potatoes contain more calories and with butter can be very fattening. You can for go the carbohydrates and add more vegetables or fruits. You can also fill that space in with something like lowfat or no fat cottage cheese. Dairy is important in your diet, but you don't need the fat that is in whole milk.
Try this also, if you are using a large dinner plate, go one size smaller. Your portions will be smaller and you ingest less calories. After about a week eating this way, go another size smaller. As you eat smaller portions, your stomach will shrink, and it will take less food to make you feel full.
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