It has been long established that proper diet and exercise are the keys to losing weight and keeping it off for life. Fitness experts agree that watching what you eat and knowing how to eat them (e.g. slow chewing vs. fast chewing) are vital in any weight loss program. Minding your food intake isn't only for those who seek to keep the pounds away. Diabetics, hypertensives and those with other medical conditions all need to ensure that their meals fit the dietary and nutritional requirements of their different conditions.

This is where diet plans come into play. Diet plans are simply meal plans followed by an individual on a day-to-day basis. From breakfast to lunch to dinner to snacks in between, there are various diet plans for various needs. For those who seek to lose weight, there are diet plans that are geared towards losing a certain number of calories per day. There are also those who promise results in 3, 7, 17 or 21 days.

But whatever diet plan you choose, there are a few general guidelines to keep in mind. First off, the overall structure of the meal plan should be healthy. Look at it and see if all food groups are represented. Fruits and vegetables should be abundant in the menu as well as whole grains, beans, low-fat dairy products, meat, fish and lean meats. Any sensible diet plan should also ensure that your meals are evenly distributed throughout the day. Ideally, 5 to 6 meals a day evenly spaced out, rather than 3 full meals, keep your metabolism humming. This keeps you from being hungry and frees you from the temptation of snacking on "empty calorie" foods.

Following your diet plan while you're not at home can become a challenge. So you won't skip any meal in your plan or eat more than the required amounts, pack your servings at home before going to work or school. This will ensure that you follow your eating regimen and the portions it suggests no matter where you are. Water is an essential part of any diet plan, thus, you must also ensure that you bring your bottle with you.

Make sure that the diet plan you choose fits you. If you do happen to miss a meal or ate more calories than what your plan allows, you don't have to be too hard on yourself. For as long as your food choices are healthy, an occasional slip need not be too big a deal. Strive, however, to follow your diet plan.

One final note: People vary in their nutritional requirements. So unless you're generally fit and healthy, following diet plans without medical supervision is a big no-no. You might mistakenly follow a calorie-reducing diet plan when your nutritional and/or fitness requirements show otherwise. This is especially true of diabetics, hypertensives and obese individuals who seek to improve their health conditions with sensible meal plans. Only a licensed health expert can guide you in choosing the most healthy diet plans for you.