So what is this balanced diet? It is taking food from asmany different sources as possible and eating food in its natural state - thatis fresh, unprocessed and , where possible, raw. The problem is that our dietsnormally centre on our concentration on foods, which narrow down the spectrumof our diet and contain many foods that are unhealthy. Too many processedfoods, preplaced, precooked, junk food, fast food –whatever they are, theycontain too much animal fat, salt, additives and too little fibre. The foodcompanies are now coming under pressure to reduce to salt sugar and additivesin their products. This is easier to monitor with improvements in labeling.
Our methods of cooking are also hazardous to health. Fryingis a common method of preparing food, adding butter to vegetables is almost a ritual,sauces are progressively richer, and creamier. So, changing to grilling foodinstead of frying, limiting butter on vegetables and reducing sauces instead ofthickening them with butter, cream of flour would lead immediately to healthiereating. If you feel that you need the discipline of a diet programme, look atit carefully: is it too expensive? Will it fit in with your family catering?There is no point in preparing two meals and watching the others eat yourfavourite foods. Is the diet balanced nutritionally? Stay clear of diets thatconfine you to one or two foods. Nobody is meant to survive on a limited numberof foodstuffs and it could throw your metabolism awry. Do you like the foodsthat are permitted in the diet? Are there any indulgences? You know yourself. Doyou want to stretch indulgences? You know yourself. Do you want to stretch yourwillpower to the limit of adopt a more flexible attitude? Your responses to these questions should helpyou organize a plan for reducing weight by yourself.