Most young people aspire to acquire the perfect physique that they see on TV or fashion magazines, and are ready to do anything to reach that goal. In their journey to achieve this target, they sometimes go on crash diets, abstaining from food for long hours. However, they do not realize that such diets work in the beginning alone, and not in the long run. They result in weakness, as they do not provide adequate nourishment for the body to function properly. So, it is important to understand that weight loss is a long and difficult process, and requires hard work and patience. People wanting to lose weight may spend a lot of time and money, trying to find the most effective diet. There is actually no ultimate diet plan that induces weight loss. As surprising as it may sound, the golden word in this case is eat. To lose weight, it is very important to eat a healthy diet that provides you with all the essential nutrients. Healthy Diet Lose Weight A healthy diet is not about what you eat, but how much you eat. Most people are used to having three meals a day. However, experts recommend that instead of three large meals, one should have several small meals throughout the day. Your daily diet should contain carbohydrates, proteins, as well as fats in moderation. Proteins: Proteins are necessary in our diet, because they help in burning the excess fat present in the body. Hence, every meal should contain protein-rich foods. Fish, turkey, lean meat, chicken, milk, eggs, beans, nuts, etc., are good sources. Carbohydrates: Many people stay away from carbohydrates, as they are believed to be the main cause of weight gain. However, people do not know that it is through carbohydrates, that the body acquires most of the energy required for its functioning. There are two types of carbohydrates: complex and simple. It is the simple ones, that are not good for the body. Complex carbs include foods like brown rice, vegetables, fruits, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, beans, sweet potatoes, whole wheat bread, etc. Simple carbohydrates like white rice, pasta, white bread, white potatoes, etc., should be included in limited amounts. Fats: You may have been recommended the fat-free diet by many, because fat contains too many calories, and can cause health problems if consumed in excess. However, it has various health benefits, and hence, cannot be avoided totally. Like carbohydrates, fats can also be divided into good and bad fats. Junk and processed foods contain bad fats, that is saturated and trans fats which should be totally avoided. On the other hand, fats present in olive oil, fish, nuts, etc., are good, unsaturated fats which are essentially required for the body. However, the daily fat intake should not be more than 30% of the total food intake. Important Things to Remember Many times, vegetarians are not able to come up with a diet plan because most of the diets contain meat products. Nevertheless, vegetarians can follow the vegetarian food pyramid which is the best way to get all the essential nutrients and yet, lose weight. It is important to include foods that are high in fiber. Fibrous foods are filling, and prevent a person from indulging in overeating. This aids low consumption of calories. One should also avoid eating foods that are high in sodium and refined sugars while trying to lose weight. Though healthy diet is the most essential thing for losing weight, following a good exercise regime will help bring out the best results. However, before you plan a weight loss diet and exercise routine, it would be beneficial to consult a dietitian who would plan out a program that suits your body type and health. Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is solely for informative purpose and not intended to replace the advice of medical experts.