A diet is a meal that is systematically taken daily to ensure proper health. A meal has to be balanced with nutrients in their right proportions, as we understand that our body is comprised of macronutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats; and micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes and others The best way to a diet is to have these daily balances.

Recently, due to a large number of people being overweight and/or obese, there has been an increase in diet programs with few being effective, and many offering crash dieting programs. Such crash dieting programs are not sustainable and are unhealthy. Once you stop using them, your weight goes back to where it was! So the best way to diet is to follow a sustainable weight management program that is healthy, and that helps you to lose, gain or control your weight.

An ideal diet takes into account your likes and dislikes and includes a wide variety of food with enough calories and nutrients for good health. What you eat, and the quantity you eat are factors contributing to your weight. When planning your healthy diet you need to consider the daily level of calorie intake, the balancing of nutrients, and whether or not the plan is easy to follow and if you can manage it for life.

For starters, try using these guidelines: eating less than 1200 calories per day and supplementing your daily vitamin and mineral requirements.

An average woman 25 years and above should get 50 grains of protein each day; and an average man 25 years and above should get 63 grams of protein each day. Protein is important because it prevents muscle tissue from breaking down and repairs them. Take 3 servings from products such as fish, tofu, legunes, dry beans, eggs and nuts.

With carbohydrates at least 100grams per day is needed. Carbohydrates prevent fatigue and dangerous fluid imbalances. You should eat 7-11 servings from products like whole grains.

Fibers are also important for proper bowel function -- 20 to 30 grams per day is sufficient. For instance, a cup of bran cereal, half a cup of carrots, half a cup of kidney beans, a medium sized pear and a medium sized apple in a day, you get 30 grams of fiber.

Not all fats are bad, there are good fats too. Such fats are from olive oil, omega 3s and 6s such as sardines, herring, tofu. On average, take no more than 30 percent of calories from fat per day. Saturated fat is not good. Remember, a lot of fat leads to heart diseases.

And finally -- most importantly, you should take at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, and if you exercise a lot you need to take in even more water.