Free Healthy Eating Plans

From LoveToKnow Diet

Free healthy eating plans that provide valuable nutritional information, healthy cooking tips and delicious recipes can be found online.

A platter of healthy foods

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The Importance of Healthy Balanced Eating

Following an eating plan that is balanced and healthy supplies your body and brain with the necessary nutrients to help keep you in optimal condition. The following are several of the benefits of healthy eating.

More energy
Increased overall sense of well being
Better weight management
Lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease
Lower risk of developing type II diabetes or kidney stones
Reduced risk of stroke
More protection against certain types of cancer including stomach, colon-rectum and mouth
Reduces bone loss
Helps maintain a healthy blood pressure

Although the nutritional needs of people vary based on their particular circumstance and medical condition, following a healthy diet is important to everyone. For example, a healthy diet for old people is going to be different than a healthy eating plan for a teenager. However, each person regardless of age or medical condition needs to follow a healthy balanced diet for their needs.

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Free Healthy Eating Plans Online

The following are several of the free healthy eating plans found online.

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My Pyramid

An excellent free healthy eating plan is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture called My Pyramid. This website provides instructions on how to find a healthy balanced eating plan based on your needs. There are interactive tools to help you assess and understand your nutritional needs, determine the number of calories that are right for you and plan healthy food choices. The following sections are also included in My Pyramid.

An interactive tool to determine the proper amount of food from each food group you need each day based on your age, sex, height, weight and activity level.
An in-depth explanation of the five food groups of the pyramid which include:
- Grains
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Milk
- Meats and Beans
An in depth explanation of healthy oils, types of fats and discretionary calories
Information on the importance of physical activity, the calories burned by various activities and tips for increasing physical activity levels
Sections on resources, tips and menus
Sections on healthy eating for kids, pregnant and nursing women

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The DASH Diet Eating Plan

Based on a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, non-fat or low-fat dairy, lean meats and whole grains, the free DASH eating plan is a balanced and healthy way to eat. Often recommended to people with hypertension or pre-hypertension as a way of lowering their blood pressure, this heart healthy eating plan reduces the risk of developing heart disease, lowers unhealthy cholesterol levels and reduces the chance of stroke.

If you are overweight, following the DASH eating plan is an excellent way to lose unwanted pounds. Once you have achieved your desired weight loss the DASH diet helps you maintain that loss giving you all the benefits of a healthy balanced diet.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services offers an online version of a publication by the National Institute of Health that is the entire DASH eating plan including recipes and menu ideas. The basics of the DASH plan are offered free online with menus and nutritional guidelines. There is also a book that explains the DASH plan and is available at bookstores, Amazon and at most local libraries.

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Additional Free Healthy Eating Plans

Other healthy eating plans that are free include the following.

Weight Loss Resources provides informative articles and information on healthy eating basics.
The Mayo Clinic provides resources and information on healthy eating plans for diabetics.
Spark People provides healthy eating plans for weight loss and maintenance.

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