What are the Different Types of Diet Foods?

Weight loss and weight control are two common concerns. One way that people try to achieve and maintain their goals in these areas is by eating diet foods. Many stores offer a wide range of selections for consumers who need such items. These include diet beverages, entrees, and sweeteners.

When a person is interested in diet foods, she is generally interested in two things. She wants her food to be low in fat and low in calories. It may seem that this would be very restrictive, but in many instances people who eat diet foods can eat similar to how they ate before they made the choice to change their eating habits.

Nutritional experts commonly claim that people drink a large portion of their calories every day. This problem can be solved with diet beverages. A person who chooses to drink these items may not have to drastically change what he likes to drink. There is a wide range of diet sodas available for those who like carbonated beverages. Diet juices and ice tea are also available.

If a person needs a snack, there are diet foods designed for between meal cravings. These come in many forms and varieties, including potato chips, snack bars, and candy. These items are often considered diet because effort has been put forth to reduce the amount of sugar and number of calories they contain.

Pre-made diet entrees can often be found for each meal. These diet foods are usually carefully portioned to help control the calories a person consumes during one meal. According to the claims of their producers, these entrees are usually prepared by healthier cooking methods than the average person uses. Substitutions are often made to reduce components such as sugar, saturated fat, and cholesterol. For example, a breakfast entree may replace pork sausage with a turkey or vegetable sausage patty.

Many of the diet entrees available are produced to complement well known diet programs, such as Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. Others are commonly named after or endorsed by reputable fitness professionals. In addition to entrees, some people may choose meal replacement shakes. These are liquid diet foods that are supposed to provide a person with necessary nutrients without requiring her to eat a meal.

Diet versions of sweeteners and condiments are also usually available. Instead of using sugar, people on diets may have a number of low calorie options to sweeten their beverages and baked goods. There are also many low-fat, low-calorie salad dressings and sauces for those who want them.