A good diet is not just for weight loss. . .

Many people consider a "diet" to be for weight loss. This is not the case! I can assure you that a good "diet" (or simply what/how/when you eat) is important for EVERYONE. :) Below are some dietary tips/

Do's:
*Drink water-a rule of thumb is 8 or 9 cups per day
*Eat enough fiber- women should get 21-25 grams per day and men 30-38 grams per day. Foods like raspberries, apples, whole wheat pasta, lentils, black beans, artichokes, and broccoli are all good sources.
*Think natural- try to consume foods that are as close to "nature" as possible. Stay clear of of processed foods.
*Read the label- KNOW what you are eating!

Don'ts
*Don't drink soda, even diet soda- they ALL have processed ingredients in their syrups. These are bad!
*Don't eat foods that are high in saturated or trans fats- these are a big contributor to high cholesterol and obesity. One of the biggest culprits are fried foods.
*Over eat- arrange food on your plate so that nothing touches anything else. This is a good trick to controlling portion sizes.

Two other big obstacles are candy and alcohol. . . If you like candy, treat yourself a couple of times a week to a small piece of dark chocolate (the higher the cocoa content, the better it is for you). If you are an alcohol drinker, switch to red wines, and only have 1 glass. These have antioxidants, so you will be helping your immune system while indulging just a little. :)
Happy eating!