Understand the Food Pyramid

• It is recommended to consume 3 ounces of whole grains daily
  
  Visit Mypyramid.gov to learn about the latest recommended dietary guidelines. The "Food Pyramid" tell readers what the different groups are and how much of each is recommended for a healthy diet daily. The groups include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat and beans, oil and discretionary calories.
  
  It is recommended that people consume three ounces of whole grains daily. For the remaining groups, however, the recommended daily consumption depends upon a person's age, gender and lifestyle. MyPyramid.gov has reference charts for each group that outlines these requirements.
  
  Oils are important to include in a healthy diet, but must be consumed in limited quantities. Most people get enough oils in their daily eating habits. Fat and oil all contain some percentage of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids. It is recommended that diets be low in foods with saturated and trans fats to help lower risk of heart disease.
  
  

Know Where You Go Wrong

• EverydayHealth.com comforts those confused about dietary options, reassuring site visitors that there are some simple guidelines to a healthy diet. Knowing what your body needs to perform and providing it with enough calories and nutrients, while not giving it too many, is the key. They recommend knowing what the recommended daily intake of calories for your personal body type and age is the recommended starting place. Your doctor can assist you in determining this. They also warn against fad diets.
  
  

Diet Plans

• ProperDiet.com reports that the most common diet plans include plans for good nutrition, for weight loss, medical conditions, infants and elderly and for pregnancy and breast feeding.
  For example, LifeClinic.com advises diabetics to include more starches in their diet. The American Heart Association tells cardiac patients to include vegetables and fruits in their heart-healthy diets along with high-fiber foods, lean meats, poultry and fish, and low fat or fat free dairy.
  
  The American Dietetic Association, the largest organization of nutrition experts worldwide, maintains the website, EatRight.org, which provides information on nutritious eating for a variety of different dietary needs. The site also lists free resources for furthering education on proper diet.
  
  It is always advisable to consult your doctor before starting any diet program.