What Food Is Good to Eat While on a Diet?

Whether you are a first-time or regular dieter, making good food choices is at the top of the list. Here are suggestions for good foods to eat while you are on a low-calorie diet.

Start with the Basics

Salads are a top choice for dieters. Fill your bowl with romaine lettuce, leafy spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and chickpeas. Add almonds for protein. If you don't like nuts in your salad, add grilled shrimp, canned tuna or grilled chicken. Eat as much salad as you like, but limit the amount of seafood or chicken to two or three ounces. Use low-calorie, low-fat salad dressings in moderation and try balsamic or red wine vinegar for extra flavor.

Enjoy Sandwiches

Build a sandwich that is high in protein and fiber. Take two slices of whole wheat bread and add grilled chicken, smoked turkey, tuna mixed with light mayonnaise or two slices of your favorite cheese. Top it with lettuce, tomato, green peppers, light salt, pepper, oregano and red wine vinegar. Olives, pickles, sweet or hot peppers, cucumber and light guacamole are also tasty condiments. Use reduced-fat mayonnaise or mustard to add flavor. Add zest with onion powder, garlic powder, adobo or low-calorie Italian dressing.

Go Meat

Choose low-fat proteins, such as lean beef, turkey, grilled chicken or seafood.

Do Dairy

Enjoy skim milk, cheese made of skim milk, cottage cheese and low-fat yogurt. Both regular and low-fat yogurt contain protein and calcium. Choose yogurt with 100 calories or fewer per serving.

Snack Carefully

No one ever said you can't eat snacks. Enjoy them, but in moderation. Try low-fat baked potato chips or regular and honey-mustard pretzels.

Eat it Raw or Steamed

Fill up on vegetables. Steam broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas and carrots. If you love eggplant, slice and add light olive oil, salt and pepper. Use an indoor grill or cook on the stove over medium heat.

Other Carbohydrates

Bake a potato and top it with low-fat, instead of regular, sour cream. Make it a meal by adding turkey or low-fat chili. Eat leftover chili with brown rice. Other hearty carbohydrates include black, red and white beans or whole-wheat pasta. Toss spaghetti with vegetables instead of meat, or use lean ground beef.