Known most commonly as nourishment, nutrition is something we all need in order to survive. However, the proper balance of nutrition does more than keep you alive; it helps you to thrive as a fit, healthy person. If you want some great nutrition tips to get healthy, then you need to read this article.
Choose whole grains over refined or processed flour products. Whole grain and whole wheat bread and flour contains more fiber and protein than refined bread and flour. Whole grains satisfy your appetite for a longer period of time and also improve cholesterol levels. Scan the ingredients listed on the label and make sure that “whole-grain” is listed prominently.
Eat nuts as a snack everyday. These healthy little gems are packed full of good fats and plant sterols that can lower your cholesterol. They are low in fat and an easy item to eat on the go. Serving sizes for these snacks can be easily measured by handfuls.
Vitamin C is an important part of a healthy diet. It is an effective antioxidant. It also helps forms the collagen which is needed for healthy blood vessels and gums, wound healing, and development of teeth and bones. Vitamin C has been found to decrease the risk of cancer, cataracts, heart disease and other diseases.
You can improve the nutritional profile of even packaged cake and cookie mixes. In addition to the regular instructions, many brands also list a “lower fat” version in which applesauce is used instead of oil. In a pinch you can also leave out the eggs. The point is that even when indulging in something like a cake, you can take steps to improve its nutritive profile.
Try being a vegetarian at least one day a week. A vegetarian is in some ways healthier than being a meat eater. Even if you are not ready to make a leap to complete vegetarianism, you can get some of the benefits of a vegetarian diet by taking a break from meat completely one day every week.
If you are striving to live a healthier lifestyle, a balanced diet is one of the most vital ways to achieve it. Aim to consume around 20% of your calories in protein, around 30% of your calories in fats, and around 50% in carbohydrates. This will put you on the right track to a better lifestyle.
You may have heard a lot lately about the cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts. Studies show they are a highly desirable addition to your diet. They reduce toxins in the intestinal tract and help prevent cancer–especially colon cancer. Their only downside is their high sulfur content, which disagrees with some peoples’ digestion.
Keep a healthy snack in your vehicle, your desk, and your purse. You can reach for it instead of taking that piece of cake the secretary brought into the office. You’ll know the calorie content up front and not be so disgusted with yourself that you give up on staying on your health plan that day.
Be wary of fat-free or no trans fat foods. Although they may appear to be a very favorable option, often the benefit of lower fat is counter measured with undesirable levels of sugar. Read the nutritional labels extremely carefully on such items.
Boost your pregnancy nutrition with a handful of nutritionally dense and delicious almonds. Besides being a good source of fiber, almonds add potassium, calcium and iron to your daily intake. They make a wonderful snack without adding empty calories to your diet and they help satisfy your appetite between meals.
Bananas are a wonderful, natural energy bar. They contain a great deal of natural sugars to give you an immediate pick me up, but also have potassium for stamina and recovery after a workout. Replace your high sugar, meal replacements bars or energy bars with a banana.
Eat more tinned baked beans. Baked beans are a cheap food source and they are packed with nutritional benefits. They are full of protein, iron, fiber, calcium and vitamins. There is also some scientific evidence that the antioxidant, lycopene, is found in the accompanying tomato sauce that can prevent heart disease and prostate cancer.
A golden rule is to try not to eat anything that has more than four grams of sugar per serving. This will save a lot of calories and it is particularly helpful for you to follow this rule if you are unfortunate enough to be stricken with diabetes.
Most people consume more protein than they really need for proper bodily maintenance. In fact, the average person really only needs about 50 grams of protein, and the rest should come mostly from carbohydrate and some fat. It is important to eat more fruits and vegetables, and that is what should replace most meat in the normal American diet.
As stated at the start, nutrition is simply nourishment and having the proper nourishment is what allows you to always feel your best. It’s not something that’s going to happen overnight, but if you want to balance your nutrition, the tips in the above article will definitely help you do just that.
