It’s not a secret to anyone that a healthy diet is essential for maintaining normal weight and being healthy.

 Many studies have demonstrated that eating healthy can protect people from getting heart disease, bone loss, diabetes and even certain cancers.

About 80 million people in the United States go on diets every year. It’s not just about emotional investment, but also about a lot of money. Americans are spending annually over $30 billion on programs and products.

To eat a health diet, people should consume fruits and vegetables; grains (at least half of them should be whole grains, for instance whole oats, oatmeal, whole-grain corn, brown and wild rice, whole rye, buckwheat, bulgur, millet, quinoa, and sorghum); fish, skinless poultry, dry beans, lean meats, eggs and nuts (which are good as antioxidants), as well as fat-free or low-fat versions of milk, yogurt, cheese and other milk products.

Moreover, a healthy diet also includes maintenance of a good proportion between carbohydrates and lipids, enough calories (but not too many) to maintain a person's metabolic and activity needs, essential micronutrients – such as vitamins and some minerals, as well as limiting sugary foods, salt and refined-grain products.

On the opposite pole, unhealthy eating involves saturated fats, which are found mainly in animal products, especially fatty meats, butter, cheese and cold milk. Also, people should take time to chew their food and avoid stress while eating, as well as eating while working, driving or watching TV.