Thinking about getting your diet meals delivered to kick-start your weight loss? Diet delivery services are perfect for busy people wanting to lose weight – pretty much everything is done for you.

The portions are pre-calculated so you naturally slim down. The food is prepared to taste delicious so you don’t feel deprived. You don’t have to shop, wash or prepare the food – you just heat and eat (and of course lose weight.)

While getting diet meals delivered is simple and easy – did you know it can also save you money?

Sure, it’s going to save you money on your health bills since a slimmer body is generally a healthier body. But it can actually save you money right now.

How? Here are several ways diet meal delivery can save you money:

#1 It Costs Less Than What Most People Spend on Food Every Day

Some experts say that people spend from $20 – $30 on food a day (and maybe more when you include eating out, getting your daily latte, coffee break snacks etc.) But a lot of diet food delivery services will send you breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack for around $20 a day – and some even less than that.

In fact, there’s one of the simpler diet delivery services that costs around $11 a day. Over a month, this adds up to a lot of money saved.

These services can do this because they buy food in bulk so some of these savings get passed on to you – in the form of cheaper food prices.

#2 You Save By Skipping the Grocery Store

How many times have you gone into the grocery store for just "a couple of things" and come out with an entire cart full of food? I know I have.

No you’re not weak-willed. Grocery stores are masters of manipulation. They’ll put the flashy fun deals at the ends of aisles so you have to look at them as you pass.

They set up the "essentials" like milk, bread, meat and fruit on the perimeter of the store – so you have to walk through the whole store (and past all those candy aisles) just to get your basics.

Why do they do this?

Because it’s actually a proven fact that the longer a customer stays in the store, the more they spend. They want you go stay in there for as long as possible so you spend more (casinos also use this trick by the way).

But when you’re getting your meals delivered to you, there’s not as much need to go to the grocery store – so you save money on all those little extras you would have purchase if you had gone.

#3 You Save On Gas

Since you’re not travelling to the grocery store a few times a week, you also save on gas. This may not seem like a lot, but with gas prices climbing, it can actually add up.

Another way you save with getting your diet meals delivered is in your time.

Since you’re not spending hours in the kitchen you actually have more time. Time to do things you enjoy like relax and unwind from your day, time to spend with your kids or your significant other – even time to work and make even more money.

So those are a few ways diet meal delivery services can save you money.

Here’s another tip: Some of these services offer you free food when you first try their services. I’ve seen services offer 1 day of free meals up to 2 weeks of free meals with your first sign-up. This is another great way to save!

So if you’re looking for a great way to save money and lose weight – while eating delicious food that’s already prepared for you, you may want to consider getting your diet meals delivered by one of the high quality diet food delivery services.

Another popular weight loss and diet program that has successfully utilized the endorsement of celebrities is Weight Watchers. This particular diet and weight loss program has been used for years by many celebrities, actresses and models from the time of its development. According to many of these famous people, losing weight successfully with Weight Watchers has turn their lives around; thus, giving them health back. If this is so, there must be something about this diet program that the developers want us to know.

Using the testimony of many famous spokespersons, the creators of this diet program has made it the choice of many who desperately want to lose weight. This particular program has made its way all the way to the top in the market when it comes to weight loss and diet programs. There are many of us who has and continues to have problems losing weight. Besides Weight Watchers there are other weight loss programs that can help you and I lose weight. With the help of a professional personal trainer, you can lose as much as 50 pounds using some of the other well-own weight loss and fitness products available on the market today.

One of the ways Weight Watchers has inspired success, is with the costs for Living. This tool teaches not only the importance of healthy eating but also about the importance of healthy living. They have achieved this, simply by understanding why you eat what you eat. In the Weight Watchers program, foods are assigned point values based on their number of calories and grams of fat and fiber content. Basically the program allows you to eat what ever you want, providing that you stay within your daily allowed points limit.

Celebrities and other individuals, who has over time–used Weight Watchers to successfully lose 60 pounds of body fat. Many love diet programs like this because they allow the individual to eat what ever he/she wants to eat as long as they do not go over their daily points requirement. The higher the calories and fat content of a food product, the higher the points it is assigned. The higher the fiber content of a food product, the lower the points it is assigned. Celebrities like other users, love this particular program because it is simple to stick to as long as you know how to add up the point value of the various foods.

With a program like this, individuals do not need to undergo any form of weight loss surgery or take some form of weight loss diet pill. Celebrities lead lives and careers that are directly related to their physical appearances. Therefore, losing weight is something that becomes pivotal to them being able to earn the type of money that they do. In looking for the best weight loss diet program which offers tips for successful weight loss–Celebrities have learned that when they use this program, they can control their weight and at the same time, gain an understanding of why they eat the way they do.

With a diet and weight loss program like this, celebrities and others alike also understand–that trying to short cut their weight loss and fitness goals by taking diet pills, is not the safest way for them too lose weight. Diet programs like Weight Watchers and others on the market, are not only about losing weight, they are also tools that allow us to live a healthier life. This is achieve through good understanding of the role that food has in our health. Hats of to the developers of the Weight Watchers diet and weight loss program. And to the celebrities and others who have found a healthier way of life from using this program. Thank you for the confirmation.

The first two questions many people ask before attempting the Paleo diet are, "Is this diet healthy?" and "What are some Paleo health benefits?" To answer the first question, it is safe and is not harmful to your overall health in any way. In fact, the Paleo diet can actually be quite beneficial to your health.

Otherwise known as the Stone Age diet, the Paleo diet follows the idea that the foods the cavemen ate were natural and better for our bodies to digest and process. Today’s foods are far from natural as they are genetically modified, laden with chemicals, and often processed beyond recognition. The food industry has become a science lab with our bodies being the guinea pigs for their new food "creations."

If you think about it, row upon row of the foods at the grocery store all essentially look the same. The popular documentary "Food, Inc." points out that most foods in the grocery store aisles are just corn masked and created to look and taste like other foods. Corn is made into high fructose corn syrup and it finds its way into cereals, barbecue sauce, dressings, soda, and even breads.

Choosing to eat foods from the Paleo plan can help your body to recover from the onslaught of unhealthiness that has overtaken our plates. While it might be difficult for some, the benefits of changing your diet are numerous.Here are some health benefits that are often associated with the Paleo diet.

Weight loss: Because you are only eating natural, unprocessed foods, your body is able to digest them quickly and use the nutrients. The foods contained in this eating plan are extremely beneficial for weight loss and many people who try the Paleo diet will experience some form of weight loss.

Reduces Diabetes: The Paleo diet contains non-processed foods, low fat foods, and does not contain foods with high sugar content. Therefore, your risk to develop diabetes is greatly reduced to an extremely low percent.

Removes toxins: Processed foods found in fast food or snack food contains many chemicals and ingredients that build up in our digestive system. The Paleo diet helps improve digestion and in turn, removes the buildup of waste and toxins that have accumulated in the intestines, kidneys, and stomach.

Overall better feeling: Because of the healthy nature of the Paleo diet, most people have noted that they experience a much better overall feeling after a short period of time. This better feeling includes a person having more energy, a higher productivity level, and increased focus both at work and home.

With all these Paleo health benefits, everybody should try to follow the Paleo diet. While you do not get to enjoy the delicious sweet treats, pizza, or beer, there are still plenty of tasty foods you can eat that will provide you with everything you need.

The Paleo diet is extremely safe and will benefit you and your overall wellbeing. If you are still unsure about trying this age-old eating style, then talk to your doctor. Chances are your doctor will tell you the same thing – the Paleo diet is safe and is good for your health.

One of the trendy diets that have gained some attention is the Eat-Clean Diet. The Eat-Clean Diet is "a lifestyle way of eating that allows you to eat more, weigh less, and become the healthiest you can be." We will look for the positives and negatives of this diet, and how it would fit with a proper diet for the average person trying to lose weight on a long-term basis.

This diet is rich in plant food, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, nonfat dairy and healthy organic fats. Their emphasis for good health and weight loss is 80% food, 10% exercise, and 10% genes. Cornerstones of the plan are regular exercise and a calorie-controlled diet high in fiber, with lean protein to satisfy hunger on fewer calories.

A nutritious breakfast with high fiber carbohydrates, lean protein and some healthy fat throughout the day will boost metabolism. Each meal during the day should be between 200-300 calories, a complex carbohydrate with protein should be part of every meal, and drink at least eight cups of water daily. Add weight training and physical activity a minimum three days a week for about 30 minutes, and you should lose about three pounds a week. So far, we would agree with everything they say.

Exercising, consuming fruits, vegetables and lean meats while controlling portion sizes, and exercising is the recommendation of any credible diet. Also, the total elimination of artificial ingredients, preservatives, sugars and trans fat no credible dietician would disagree with. But we disagree with the total elimination of saturated fat, foods "whose ingredients you can’t pronounce", the elimination of alcohol except perhaps a once a week glass of red wine. We also disagree with the part about bringing your own food when to avoid eating in restaurants.

There must be more latitude to cheat on your diet, or only those willing to live the most Spartan lifestyle will be able to maintain it over the long-term. Dining out occasionally is a social experience, and for any program to ask you to eliminate that would be asking quite a lot. Instead, work the dining out experience with eating healthy, portion controlled food, and if the portions are too large have the discipline to take the surplus home.

If you are in the habit of eating out just because you don’t want to go to the bother of cooking, either get into cooking (which if you give it a shot you might find you like it), or get into one of the many great meal delivery plans available. And as for alcohol, studies have shown that small amounts can be cardio-protective, and the same goes for saturated fats: too much might be harmful but the body can handle small amounts.

So our conclusion on the Eat-Clean Diet is in its basic form with its nutrition-rich recipes and easy to read manner can be very helpful for dieters to move to a healthy lifestyle. But its highly structured approach takes so much fun out of dining that most people may see it as too restrictive to maintain on a long-term basis. Look it over, and apply its beneficial aspects.

In some cases, the surgeon cannot pursue the required surgery unless the patient loses weight. Other times, the patient’s health may depend, literally, on losing enough weight. The 7 day soup diet is a great way of losing weight in a natural and safe way, and is applicable for most people.

The fat burning soup is the secret of the 7 day soup diet. The tasty soup contains no calories and is made up mostly of vegetables. Following the plan, you being losing weight fast, and you can eat with no restrictions. You may indulge on as much soup as you can. Results are best experienced when this diet is combined with your regular exercise program. You may not need to worry about the taste of this soup because it may include various ingredients such as: beef, chicken, potato, brown rice, and fruits and vegetables.

With the 7 day soup diet, the impossible is now possible! Many have claimed that they have lost an average of 7 kilograms on their first week, with that rate, your weight loss goals in easily within your reach. You would surely experience a dramatic change. You may even start feeling motivated, outgoing, confident, and happier.

This 7 day soup diet is sure not a waste of time and it will guarantee you great results as long as you commit to the diet. There’s no reason for you to fail with the fat burning soup plan.

A major obstacle when starting to lose weight is getting started. You have to overcome this first. In most cases, individuals who want to lost weight don’t have the idea where to begin, which later leads to failure. The thing is, it doesn’t really matter how big or small you goal is, or whether what method you are using.

One of the firsts step in your weight loss journey is setting up goals. This gives you a clear picture of what you want to achieve. These goals will also keep you focused and motivated. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bounded. An important question to ask yourself is how much you like to lose and by when would you like to lose that much.

You should write you goals into a piece of paper. Write your answers to questions you have created, make notes on them, and place them anywhere in your house as long as their visible and that you can see it every day. This helps keep you reminded of your plan. However, setting up goals is not enough. The plan must also be put into action and commitment is essential.

I always think if one person is wondering about something, there are probably a lot more who didn’t write. Here’s a question someone wrote to me this week.

I’m on my second round of the hCG diet and am applying all I learned the first time so this round is smoother. I found the hard way much of what you’ve discovered about (eating) no beef and no stevia. (or other artificial sweeteners)

But I am very tired this time. I don’t eat the breadsticks and sometimes cut back on my fruit. I’ve known I have blood sugar irregularities so this helps. I bought chromium picolinate and feel a tiny bit better. Any suggestions? It’s not that I’m sleepy, just SO fatigued."

I replied, "I am sorry to hear you are so tired. 1) Taking chromium is a very good idea. If you are healthy and don’t have diabetes, 800 mg is a good dose. Feeling tired is probably related to metabolism which can slow down when dieting.

2) Taking a lot of vitamin B can help, if you aren’t already doing that. I suggest you take a super B multiple besides any other vitamins. It can be a capsule or you can get a liquid B complex that you drop with a dropper into the mouth. Either one costs about $7 or a little more at health food stores. You can also get B dots, for about the same price. You dissolve them under the tongue. They are generally B-12. I have taken all three when dieting. Your body will eliminate any extra B you don’t need, so you don’t have to worry about an overdose.

3) Using a small amount of coconut oil each day can help increase metabolism and weight loss. (It also helps hunger) I never thought I’d be saying this, but I finally learned and believed it is true after hearing about it for several years. I even did a few weeks of the diet in Sept. using homeopathic pellets and I used 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil per day with cooking and I lost 17.5 pounds in 2 weeks. Coconut oil is processed in the body differently than other oils and it’s the only oil I would ever suggest anyone use on the HCG Diet. As you know, the diet is as low fat as possible. I usually suggest anyone keep fat grams to 5 or less per meal, and 10 or less per day. But if you use coconut oil, you do not have to count the fat grams or calories of the coconut oil. There are whole books written on the benefits of coconut oil. Don’t be afraid of it. You can buy it at health food stores and some grocery stores. Usually it has a coconut taste and takes a little getting used to, but I found it was pretty good when I fried a little onion in it and then added an egg. If you don’t know, Dr. Simeons allowed one egg and 3 egg whites for a meat replacement, especially for vegetarians. If you haven’t seen my page on cooking with eggs, you can at hcgamazingdiet.com.

4) The next thing I can suggest that will give you a more immediate response to feeling tired is to walk. The exercise itself increases metabolism. It can increase your rate of energy and metabolism and therefore fat burning for up to 24 hours. But that is not all. It increases your seratonin levels. That is the feel good hormone. It’s immensely helpful. If you can, pick a time that is for you. Put yourself first and figure out a time to walk. If you don’t normally do much walking, start with 20 min. Then make it 30. If you can do 45 min. per day within a week, you will really notice an increase in energy levels. Generally you need to walk at least 20 min. to increase metabolism.

Depending on the weather, you can walk at a mall, which is especially nice before they open. Most malls are open for walkers about 1/2 hour before the stores open. Or you can walk the inside of a Walmart, pushing your cart, as if you are shopping and heading to the other side of the store. Think about where walking would work for you. If you aren’t convinced or think you don’t have the time, try it just once. And pay attention and notice how in a few hours, you will feel more alert and energetic. It’s amazing how well this works. Walking is a perfect exercise because you don’t need to buy equipment and you can start immediately and feel the results the same day. Walking can make you short of breath, but what it’s doing is helping you increase your deep breathing and it gets easier. And when you take deep breaths, that even helps metabolism. The oxygen exchange is like fanning a fire, making it burn brighter, only you are fanning your own metabolism. Be sure to take time to notice if you feel better later in the day and even the next day.

When I worked nights as a nurse, I learned that if I went walking before I went to bed in the morning, I felt so much better later in the day. When I woke up, I wasn’t as groggy. And if I wanted to stay up because it was going to be my night off, I was feeling much better, too. I could get up easily after 3-5 hours, but if I didn’t walk, I wanted 8-9! I experienced this time after time, until I knew it was no coincidence.

5) One thing you can do right this minute is take a few really deep breaths and hold the air in a few seconds. Try it right now while you are reading this. That can wake you up and make you feel more alert and energetic right away. Once I had to drive a long distance after working all night and I did deep breathing exercises during most of the drive and it was wonderful for keeping me awake.

6) Drinking green tea is known to increase metabolism. That means it gives you more energy and also helps burn calories. It is a known fat-burner. It improves endurance when exercising. It improves fat metabolism. It helps thyroid function. If you haven’t tried it before, try drinking one cup with a meal, and then eventually with every meal and then between meals. Drink it hot or over ice and get it flavored if you prefer it or want variety. It’s amazing how good it can taste when you get it flavored and you can buy it anywhere. My favorite is Lipton’s Orange, Passion Fruit and Jasmine.

You can also buy green tea diet energy capsules in almost any drugstore or health food store.

7) Try to find homeopathic hCG with amino acids or get the pellets with amino acids. They really help energy levels and hunger, too. L-glutamine is one of the amino acids that can help you feel better. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins found in meats. Don’t overlook them. I think that is why HCG pellets have become so popular.

I know it’s hard to walk if you feel tired. It was hard for me to go walking after working all night. It’s hard to do almost anything if you feel tired. But if you want to feel more energetic, then it’s important to move around. Expending energy actually increases energy. If you want, figure out a reward for yourself. Walk to a destination, like a coffee shop. (Coffee is allowed.) Or take a child or dog for a walk. Take your camera. Take some music. Make it fun! You can ever trick yourself into walking longer if you figure out a circle path of several blocks and when you get half way, you still have to walk back home. You don’t have any choice.

Dieting is all about attitude. A lot of it is about energy levels. If you feel more energetic, you can just naturally do more. If you review these 7 ways to increase energy levels and implement some of them, you will have much better success with any diet.

Ever seen a picture of a fat caveman? You might be hard-pressed to find one or even read about one in books. It is a no-brainer that animal meat was basically their main source of energy. I digress, but that brings us to the diet that I’m writing about. The high protein diet.

The high protein diet has steadily gained in popularity over the years. It has been touted by many fitness professionals as the diet that works when it comes to weight loss. This diet was eventually propelled into the limelight when Dr Atkins invented his famous Atkins Diet.

The million dollar question is whether such a diet actually works?

First of all for a healthy diet 25-30% of a person calories should come from protein. This percentage can be changed to suit the person’s lifestyle and exercise habits. For those involved in strenuous physical activities or exercises, they should consume a larger percentage.

Let’s see what are the benefits that a high protein diet can bring you.

1. Provides greater satiety

A protein rich meal can fill you up pretty fast and for a longer period of time. Try eating half a chicken and you’ll know why. If you’re feeling full, there’s a lesser tendency to snack.

2. Helps to prevent muscle loss

Protein is the building block for muscles. It also helps with muscle repair. When you are on a diet, you will be in a calorie deficit. To prevent your body from breaking down your muscles, a higher protein intake is recommended. Retaining muscle mass is important as the more muscle mass you have, the more fats you burn.

And now for the bad part.

1. Constipation

I can vouch for this. When I first started a high protein diet, I had serious constipation. I was eating about 6-8 chicken breasts a day to meet my protein requirements. I had trouble with my bowel movement for a couple of weeks and had to consume a lot of fibre just to re-regulate my toilet schedule.

2. Increase in cholesterol

Though high in protein, animal fat is also high in saturated fat. Constant consumption of a high protein diet can lead to higher cholesterol levels.

3. Putting more stress on your kidneys

The by-product from the breaking down of protein is urea. The body then depends on the kidney to excrete the urea. Additional urea in the body will cause more stress to be placed on the kidneys. It has to work ‘overtime’ to remove the excess urea. This can lead to kidney issues and dehydration.

4. Craving for carbs

The lack of carbs in your diet can cause unnecessary cravings for it. The body knows that it needs carbs as an energy source. This can trigger off food binges that will bring you back to square one.

So as you can see, there are adverse side effects of a high protein diet. Many people have the misconception that a high protein diet means close to 100% of the calories from protein. You can substitute some protein for carbs but not to the extent where your diet is devoid of carbs. Even a caveman needs his share of carbs. Losing weight with a high protein diet is doable. Just be sure to consume some good carbs to ensure the body gets what it needs.

People who want to know how to lose weight fast most often assume that losing extra weight is always difficult, boring and painful. However, there are different fun ways to lose weight effectively. All you need to do is alter your diet slightly and make minor modifications to the ingredients used in your regular meals. This can help cut down your calorie intake dramatically. Within a short period of time, you would be able to see good results. Try these tasty health foods to lose weight the smart and healthy way.

1. Homemade Raisin Bran
Pour a packet of raisins into a cup of Total cereal and mix it with a cup of non-fat milk. This simple recipe contains all the vitamins and minerals you need for the day, with 12 grams of proteins, natural fiber, sugar and 244 calories. When compared to ready-to-serve raisin bran, this homemade recipe will help you cut down 50 calories, 5 grams of fat and 6 teaspoons of sugar.

2. Boca Burger Grilled Vegetable burger
The usual American BBQ has a high volume of saturated fats. Instead, go for this tasty, soy-based, high protein, vegan alternative that has red-bell pepper, onion, garlic, a few cheeses and hints of zucchini. Add ketchup, tomato, lettuce and other toppings to get the traditional burger taste. When compared to a regular 3-ounce grilled beef burger, this recipe can save you 180 calories and 19 grams of fat.

3. Subway Roast Beef sub-sandwich
If you just cannot survive without meat, then this lean 6-inch roast beef sub-sandwich is a great option. It is a perfectly balanced meal with vegetables, tomato and lettuce, with just 4.5 grams of fat and 264 calories. When compared to a classic meatball sub, this meal will save almost 100 calories and 20 grams of fat.

4. Frozen fruit smoothie
Mix one cup of unsweetened, frozen blueberries with half a banana, quarter cup wheat germ and water to make your own antioxidant-filled fruit smoothie at home. When you compare this to your regular canned smoothie from the store, you can save 200 calories for every 2 to 3 cup serving. In fact, runner Bruce Shapiro used this same recipe over the last couple of years to lose 30 pounds.

All it takes is choosing a leaner and low calorie alternative to your favorite foods. You can then enjoy the same taste and delicious feel of your most preferred meals while eating tasty health foods to lose weight at the same time.

There is a wealth of information available on the healthiness of the Mediterranean nutrition and diet, specifically how this diet results in statistically low occurrences of chronic diseases and statistically higher life expectancy in the people who abide by it.

There is a general consensus among health professionals that the Mediterranean diet is healthier than the North European and North American diet. This is because it includes more grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and olive oil.

It’s not easy to understand what exactly ‘Mediterranean diet’ means since there are many countries and cultures that share this definition – usually all the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, from Greece to Spain and from Italy to Israel.

Some key features of the Mediterranean diet are:

1. Moderate amounts of olive oil – consumed with fresh vegetables and on salads.

2. Small portions of lean meat with no visible fat.

3. High consumption of legumes, vegetables and fruits.

4. High intake of antioxidants.

5. High consumption of breads, pasta, rice, and potatoes.

6. Regular exercise.

Let’s review, one by one, the main ingredients of the Valencian Paella, to see how this one simple dish conforms to the key features of one of the healthiest diets in the world: the Mediterranean diet.

1. Olive Oil:

The traditional Mediterranean diet delivers as much as 40% of total daily calories from fat.

The impact of fat on the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases is very much dependent on whether the fat is saturated or non-saturated.

Fat provided by olive oil is a mono-unsaturated fat, which does not result in the same cholesterol raising effect of saturated fat. Mono-unsaturated fat helps to lower harmful LDL cholesterol

Olive oil contains antioxidants that prevent clogging arteries and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including fighting carcinogens that result in cancer.

Remember: start cooking authenticValencian paella by pouring olive oil.

2. Lean meat:

The traditional meats included in a Paella recipe are the lowest fat-content meats that humans consume in their diets: chicken and rabbit.

In the following table, we can see the fat content for different meats:

Meat Type – Fat (per 100 gram)

Bacon – 45

Pork belly – 35

Lamb breast – 30

Duck – 30

Goose – 25

Pork chops – 24

Beef – 20

Chicken – 12

Pheasant – 9

Rabbit – 8

Venison – 6,5

Sometimes a traditional recipe may call for duck (which is more fatty), but this is usually only to increase the flavor, and the recommended amount is not significant enough to cause a consistently high increase in the typical fat content of paella.

3. Legumes and Vegetables:

Vegetables are low in fat but contain substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals. All the green/yellow/orange vegetables are rich sources of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, beta-carotene, vitamin B-complex, vitamin-C, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

Vegetables are also a source of antioxidants that, as we have discussed, help boost one’s immunity and protect us from free radicals and carcinogens that can result in chronic disease or cancer.

In addition, vegetables contain soluble as well as insoluble dietary fiber known as non-starch polysaccharides (N.S.P.) like cellulose, gums, mucilage and pectin that absorb excess water in the colon and retain considerable amounts of moisture in the fecal matter thereby helping its easy passage out of the body. This is helpful for conditions like hemorrhoids, chronic constipation and rectal fissures.

Apart from rice, authentic Valencian paella’s recipe also includes several vegetables such as tomatoes, flat green beans, white lima beans and white beans.

The vegetables used in paella are amongst some of the healthiest vegetables available.

Planning out your grocery list can be a chore. It’s not enough to make sure Oreos, taquitos, and the 5-gallon ice cream do not end up in the cart. In this economy, we need to maximize the benefits of the healthy food choices we are making as much as possible. The solution? Superfoods. Superfoods are those categorized as polynutrient rich with few negative properties. I sat down with a personal trainer here in Santa Rosa who believes the best superfoods are those that have super taste and are super versatile. She shared her top five with me.

Low fat/Fat Free Plain Yogurt- High in protein, potassium, and vitamin D, yogurt contains helpful digestive bacteria that balances, maintains, and cleans out the digestive tract. These digestive bacteria can also make yogurt easier to digest than milk for those who have lactose sensitivities. And plain yogurt could not be more versatile! Mix it up by adding fresh fruit and granola. Perfect as a snack or breakfast entrée. "Also, try using yogurt as a substitute for some of the mayonnaise-based dips you’d make for veggie-platters at your next lunch meeting," says the Santa Rosa personal trainer.

Nuts – Nut have gotten a bad rap for their relative high fat content. Our personal trainer explained, however, that in moderation, the benefits of nuts far outweigh its poor reputation. Nuts are high in protein and do contain a lot of fat for their size, but these are good fats. Nuts are also full of fiber making them filling. They are delicious raw or roasted in salads, cereals, and even entrees. Add small snack bags to your grocery list because nuts make an excellent mobile snack.

Kiwis – This funny furry fruit is full of vitamin A and E. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, keeps your skin, eyes, and other membranes, moist. Retinol also aids in the eye’s ability to adjust to light and therefore is vital to ocular health. Vitamin A is typically found in animal products. However some plants, like the kiwi, produce beta-carotene which humans then convert into Vitamin A. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants fight against cellular damage due to oxygen and other free radicals. Damaged cells in the body can cause cell dysfunction that may lead to the onset of problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Eat alone or add a little flare to your desserts and salads. But be careful, the Santa Rosa personal trainer warns, kiwi has such a high fiber content that it is sometimes used as a mild laxative!

Sweet Potatoes – Keeping with the need to satisfy that sweet tooth, sweet potatoes are a member of the nutrient rich dark orange vegetable family. Along with pumpkin, carrots, orange bell peppers, and butternut squash, sweet potatoes trump their white potato cousins by being loaded with vitamin C, calcium and potassium. Being lower in calories and more rich in taste, sweet potatoes are a quick and easy switch that gives you more nutrition for your buck.

Salmon – This delicious fish is full protein, iron, and unsaturated fats known as Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated and essential for normal metabolism. Humans, the Santa Rosa personal trainer tells me, are unable to produce these acids. Omega-3s are believed to lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol (the good kind). Its anticoagulant properties suggest that Omega-3 may even help lower high blood pressure. There are many fish high in Omega-3 fatty acid so diversifying your intake will spread out unwanted buildup in your body such as Mercury.

Superfoods are everywhere. Before we parted, the Santa Rosa personal trainer encouraged me to investigate the foods I love and find out what is super about them. The best thing about superfoods is they are super all around. Even better, there are so many different superfoods to choose from! Great in taste, nutrients, and versatility, while being reasonable in price makes these five foods a must-add to next week’s grocery list.