It is amazing that after all the knowledge that we have about a balanced diet and the importance of a healthy diet we still levitate towards unhealthy snacks and fast foods.

On a daily basis our calorie and sugar intake is way above the normal while our calcium and fiber is down the drain.

Thankfully a balanced meal does not need to be tasteless and without any appeal. Remember going by a diet plan that you read of isn’t the answer. You need a diet that is customized to you and your family’s lifestyle. Start of by creating your own meal plan.

There are 7 basic rules that you need to keep in mind while doing so.

-You need to know your own dietary needs as well as your family’s needs. While a microwave dinner may be for you and serves the purpose for lack of time it may not be wise to follow this at all time.

-If you are not a fan of leafy vegetables or veggies in general change the way you are preparing your meal. Cater to your taste buds while maintaining the nutritional value of the dish. Add vegetables in your sandwiches or soups. Saute with butter or olive oil for a value meal. Remind yourself that vegetables are low in calories thus help in maintaining your target weight.

-Reduce the intake of meat in your diet, especially red meat. Red meat and meats in general add to your calorie intake. Add whole grains to your diet instead. Pulses and legumes are extremely good for the body as they provide you with Vitamins and Fiber. They boost your energy and aid your metabolism.

-Educe the intake of oil. Avoiding fried foods like burgers and potato wedges will help you to do just that.

-Watch the amount of food that goes into your system. There are so many times when you may reach for the food on the table just because its there and staring at you in the face. Don’t eat because something is visible to your eye or because its time for a meal. Watch your body clock, when your body demands food only then must you go ahead and supply it with a nourishing meal.

-While you watch what you are eating and curb your cravings don’t indulge in liquid high calories either. Fizzy drinks and aerated drink fall in this category. Sports drinks are normally acceptable, however watch the sugar content.

-Limit the amount of packaged foods in your shopping basket. The ready-to-eat kinds of foods are normally high in sodium. Read the labels carefully to understand what you are eating.