Yesterday, the classic food pyramid that dates back 19 years in the U.S. guidelines nutritionists was replaced with a colored plate. This greatly simplifies the process of choosing healthy foods.

The new symbol of a balanced diet is called “My Plate” and was divided into four colored sections, allocated to the four basic categories of food: red means fruit, green is for vegetables, orange for cereals, purple for meat and other proteins. It was also joined by a blue circle, which symbolizes the need for fresh milk a day.

At launch, the U.S. agriculture secretary said Tom Vilsak pyramid was “too complicated to be used in daily diets of ordinary American. ”

First Lady of America Michelle Obama, known for her passion for healthy food and anti obesity programs, praised the colored plate, classifying it as “wonderful and easy to use by anyone who wants to eat healthy. “

You read about lots of diets and do not know which one to try? You learned from television that a star that lost weight followed Atkins diet or other diet like Dukane? Only you can decide, but we can help you with a top of the most popular and effective diets.

1. Atkins Diet
This diet is based on eliminating refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white flour and sugar.
Advantages – lose weight within 2 weeks.
Disadvantages – only 20 grams of carbohydrates per day for two weeks can be dangerous for the body. Also, Atkins promotes the consumption of protein wich can strain the liver, kidneys and lower bone density.
It is recommended for young, healthy persons who want to lose weight in a short time. The Diet can be held a week , maximum 2 weeks. However, it is prohibited for persons suffering from chronic diseases or diabetes.

2. Cabbage Soup Diet
Surely you have tried it too, but you must know that it is not recommended for long-term (more than a week), because it deprives body of nutrients needed for proper functioning.The operating principle of the diet: the more you eat the soup, the more weight you loose !
Advantages – inhibits appetite, is rich in fiber and low in fat, you can loose between 5 and 7 kg at the week if not cheat.
Disadvantages – depriving the body of nutrients

3. Diet Dukane
Very apreciated among the celebrities, many of them declaring themselves fans. An example is Gisele Bundchen, who followed the diet and fashion back on the podium just six weeks after giving birth! How did she lose weight: eating protein (meat, fish, eggs or dairy fat) and water, between 3 and 10 days.
Advantages – lose weight to 8 kg in 8 days
Disadvantages – too much protein can strain the liver, kidneys and lower bone density.

4. Living Food Diet
Certainly the results you get will be spectacular, plus your body will thank you for nutrients which will benefit. Diet involves eating uncooked, raw only. Here you can include fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, healthy fats (avocado, olive oil). Also, live food is recommended for people with diabetes.
Advantages – can be followed very long term, if you learn a little about the principles of live feed and a multitude of combinations you can make.

5. Scarsdale Diet
Do not keep it for more than 14 days because it’s a low-calorie diet, it is very strict, low-fat and carbohydrate that contains grapefruit as breakfast, lunch and dinner beeing a combination of meat and vegetables.
Advantages – lose weight quickly
Disadvantages – it is very restrictive and can harm the body, if you follow more than two weeks. After finshing the diet, you can add in a very short time what you have lost.

Mmm! Every party could be a royal feast. Because most of the times, here you can find everything: salads, vegetables, meats, sweets, cheese, fruit.And you do not find pure, boiled or fried, but combined with great skill by the most skilled chefs of the catering companies. Goose liver pate and fresh apple jelly, shrimp and avocado salad, creamy cheese with figs and cinnamon, pasta stuffed with smoked cheese, salad with parmesan ruccola , tiramisu, chocolate orange, white perch with sesame … uff! Certainly, all worth trying. However, wich are the best choices (in order to keep a slim body)?

Make a plan !

You choose between these options: either eat light and a lot or try the specialty chef (full with  cream, spices and meat, etc..,) and stop. Whatever your choose, you should know some tips to nutritionists. Do not avoid plateaus with vegetables. Cooked or fresh, they are a source of fiber and vitamins . 100 g cooked broccoli, for example, has 44 calories, 0 fat, vitamin C, fiber and calcium. A tomato has 26 calories, 0 fat and vitamin C. 100 g of spinach has 41 calories, 0 fat, iron, folic acid. If there are in the menu mini sandwiches with salmon, French cheeses and nuts, do not hesitate choose them.

Salmon is rich in omega 3 which, among other things, helps stabilize blood pressure and relieve stress. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, which protects the heart and prevents heart disease (10 g of walnuts contain 50 calories).French cheeses contain more calories (75 g Roquefort cheese has 277 calories), but are rich in calcium (100 g of parmesan were 1275 mg of calcium).

Also you can choose sea food instead of meat. Besides the great taste that you have,  have less fat and calories (one serving of seafood with parsley – vs. 300 calories. A serving of roast pork with caraway – 530 calories). As much you may  want cake, cream and burnt sugar cake, do not ingnore the fruits.

The number of calories per 100 grams of fruit is fresh pineapple – 52 bananas – 83, Apricot – 44 dates – 30 Grapefruit – 43 grapes – 73 strawberries – 37 cherries – 60. What it does not compare with a bowl of burnt sugar cream (550 calories) or a slice of cake with berries (315 calories)!

Control your cravings!

If you want, take “all you can eat menu”, but only with your eyes … Even if you are not during a diet, you must pay attention to the amount of food.  So, head up, chest out, belly sucking, and ignore the culinary temptations. Do not let your desires lead to actions, even if you have not tasted many of the goodies in your life. Most nutritionists recommend not to go to a party with an empty stomach because hunger coupled with cravings can mess with your plans. Defeat your instinct to taste each dish prepared by drinking water with lemon (mineral water and carbonated drinks makes your belly swallen). In addition, do not sit in a comfortable armchair. Dance (if there’s dancing) or socialize with others. As for drinking, delight yourself with natural juices and as little alcohol.

Do not moan if you have not tasted everything you did with the eye, there will be other occasions.

Good luck!