Cut the JUNK fats: Most people do not need an ultra low fatdiet. But most of us could improve our diet by cutting out thejunk fats. Basically, these are the processed fats: hydrogenated fats, polyunsaturated oils that have been heated,and fats that are combined with junk carbs. Processed fats arethe fats most likely to put on flab and clog your arteries.

Cut the JUNK carbs. Most people do not need an ultra low carbdiet. But unfortunately, so many people who go on a low fat dietcontinue to eat highly processed foods - they switch fromprocessed high-fat to processed low-fat. And when foodmanufacturers create low fat foods, they tend to replace the fatwith junk carbs, that tend to pile on the pounds. Basically,junk carbs are low-fiber carbs. Like sugar, fructose (and allthe other *oses), flour, cornstarch, fruit juice. Yes, fruitjuice is a junk carb too! - After all, how much fiber is there infruit juice? - Virtually none - its yet another junk carb. Youshould eat the whole fruit instead, with its fiber intact.

Cut the JUNK calories. Most people do not need an ultra lowcalorie diet. But just think what your diet would be like if youdropped the processed fats and the low-fiber carbs. You'd beeating mainly natural proteins, with lots of vegetables pluswhole fruits - and the odds are that you would be eating farfewer calories as well. That's the kind of calorie cutting mostof us should be doing.

Eat a balanced NATURAL-FOODS diet. By natural foods, we mean thefoods that would have been eaten by your hunter-gathererancestors: - lots of whole vegetable foods for vitamins andfiber; moderate to small portions of meats, fish, seafood, andother animal and protein foods, grilled, stewed or baked; andsmall portions of fresh whole fruit in season. This is the dieton which the human race evolved, and the diet which, for the vastmajority of people, makes for optimum health

So the next time you're about to order a meal with fries andsugary soda, think about how it could be improved. Replace thefries with a salad, and the soda with mineral water, and you'vealready made significant progress towards a more healthy,balanced meal.

And at home, look for recipes that use whole, fresh foods, with aminimum of processing. Make sure your meals include naturalunprocessed foods, with lots of healthy vegetables, both cooked,and raw in salads. Avoid processed fats and processed low-fiberfoods.

A sample menu: - grilled fish with steamed green beans, and peppers - large mixed salad, dressed with small amounts of olive oil andvinegar or lemon juice - fresh fruit platter

Yes - A healthy, balanced diet can be that simple!

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.