Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.
If you have a hankering for Japanese fare and are watching your weight, vegetable sushi is a healthy choice because most vegetables are extremely low in calories. If you include avocado in your sushi, however, stick to thin slices. Avocados are much higher in fat and calories than most other fruits and vegetables.
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Taco salad shells are typically deep-fried, which makes them fairly heavy on calories. Pair them with ingredients like ground beef, cheddar cheese, sour cream and guacamole, and you could end up eating more than 1,000 calories in a single salad.
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Aromatic and warm, a steaming bowl of vegetable pho makes a healthy and soothing lunch on a cold day. While this Vietnamese noodle soup is relatively low in calories -- thanks to the broth base and lean ingredients -- you still need to watch portion sizes.
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Pad Thai, a signature dish of Thailand, is made with rice noodles, tofu, peanuts, vegetables, sugar and chilies, and often contains shrimp. Served plain, the noodles in pad Thai contain about 190 calories per cup after boiling.
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With its nutritious bean sprouts, thin noodles and lean tofu, pad Thai may seem like a healthy choice; however, the calories can add up quickly in large restaurant portions. If you finish your whole plate, you'll have consumed about 940 calories, which is typically too many for a single meal.
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Although some diet soft drinks contain slightly more sodium than their sugary counterparts, the difference is typically negligible. Most diet sodas are low in sodium, which, according to the Food and Drug Administration's guidelines, means that they contain 140 or fewer milligrams per serving.
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Made from brined grape leaves, rice, lemon and aromatic herbs, stuffed grape leaves -- also called dolmades -- make a zesty side dish or snack.
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As you age, your metabolism slows so that you need fewer calories than you did when you were younger. Each decade after age 20, your daily energy needs may decrease by as much as 150 calories, according to the American Council on Exercise.
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Made with tangy tomatoes and fresh basil, bruschetta topping is loaded with flavor but very short on calories. Trouble can start, however, if you prepare the bruschetta's toast base with too much butter or oil.
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The number of calories in a plain bagel with cream cheese depends on the size of the bagel, as well as on the amount of cream cheese you use. Because cream cheese is high in fat, going overboard can make the calories add up quickly.
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Calorie needs differ among individuals, and the exact number you need to maintain your weight depends on your age, activity level and body composition. Although only medical testing can precisely determine your daily calorie expenditure, you can get a workable estimate with a quick activity assessment.
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While Earl Gray tea is a healthy beverage that's safe for most people in moderate doses, drinking too much may cause side effects. As a black tea, Earl Gray has most of the same effects as a plain black brew. In addition, however, it is flavored with oil from the bergamot orange, which may lead to other side effects.
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The calories in champagne, wine and other alcohols are considered "empty" because although they provide energy and can lead to weight gain, they have little nutritional value.
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Green juices contain dark, leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, and are typically chock full of vitamins and minerals. However, most of these beverages also contain fruit juices or purees to balance out the vegetable flavor and to add sweetness. Fruit adds sugar, and is generally more calorie-dense than vegetables.
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If you're considering forgoing food to try to lose weight or "cleanse" your body, be warned: You're likely to do more harm than good by living on water alone. Fasting does not lead to lasting weight loss, and it can come with numerous unpleasant side effects.
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Raw vegetables are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet, so don't be afraid to include salads or carrot sticks in your meal plan every day. That said, all foods are prone to contamination, and veggies are no exception.
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With three meals per day plus snacks, rationing calories can seem like a chore. For most people, however, eating the same number of calories at breakfast, lunch and dinner is just fine -- so you don't need a unique formula for the contents of your midday meal, according to Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center.
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Scotch whiskey is one of the lowest-calorie options on the drink menu, but moderation is still key. Alcohol calories are considered "empty" because they have no nutritional value. In addition, alcohol may stimulate your appetite, according to Columbia Health, causing you to consume more calories from food than usual.
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Peppermint and green tea each pack a wallop in terms of health perks. Considering this tasty tea combination also has zero calories, it's worthy of prominent placement in a healthy diet.
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Cashew nuts may taste decadent, but they're actually good for your health. Rich in important nutrients such as protein, fiber and iron, cashews are a snack you can eat every day without guilt.
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