Proper nutrition is the keystone of a healthy and productive life. When you take in the nutrients your body needs, you provide the raw material for all the processes your body performs on a daily - and nightly - basis. Your nutritional choices have a profound influence on the level of well-being you can achieve.
Omega 3 fatty acids should be consumed for a healthy heart. These poly unsaturated fatty acids work to lower the triglycerides and increase HDL, the good cholesterol, in your body. Omega 3 fatty acids can also prevent blood from clotting inside your body. Studies also show that consuming Omega 3 fats can help to lower blood pressure.
If you want to purchase any prepared foods, take a close look at the label first. Just because something is labeled "reduced-fat" doesn't mean it is nutritionally sound. Often, they are loaded with unhealthy ingredients like sugar and lots of salt. Avoid processed foods if you are trying to lose weight. Labels should always list ingredients in terms you can understand. If many artificial ingredients are listed on the label, it's best to pass on the product.
Make whole grains a part of your daily food intake. Whole grains pack a much more nutritional punch than processed grains that have had most of their nutrients refined out of them. Try including brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and 100% whole grain bread to your daily diet. You will get the fiber your body needs in addition to the beneficial nutrients.
Try to substitute healthy alternatives for fatty or sugary foods you enjoy. For example, instead of a bowl of ice cream, you can have some yogurt with fruit. Instead of french fries, try half of a baked potato. You don't have to cut out all the good tasting food in your life, just make healthier choices about what the tasty things you do eat.
If you have bought one of the new special peanut butters with extra omega-3s added in order to improve your nutrition, be aware that you've mostly bought a marketing ploy. Though many foods are fortified in a way that makes a real difference nutritionally, the amount of omega-3s added to this special (and expensive) peanut butter is so small that you would have to eat 8 sandwiches' worth (16 tablespoons) to get as much omega-3 as in a four-ounce serving of salmon.
When considering your nutrition, do not over do it with vitamins and supplements. Multivitamin pills can never replace the amount of nutrients that you receive in eating food. While they are good to compliment your meal with, never substitute a pill for real food. Your body might not react well to a large intake of concentrated vitamins.
A great nutrition tip is to start taking a multivitamin. Multivitamins are great because they cover a large area of vitamins and nutrients, and they can help balance out any diet. There are different multivitamins available for different age groups, so it's important that you get the right one for you.
Even if you have been to the restaurant a million times before, don't just sit down and order your usual dish. Many restaurants have started to make the effort to highlight healthier choices and meal options on the lighter side of their menu. Scrutinize the menu at your favorite eatery and look for special sections for healthier dining options or special symbols that indicate a low-fat, low-sodium, or heart-healthy option.
Cook up several whole potatoes and stuff them to have later as a quick meal. Potatoes keep great after being baked or even boiled. Just stick them in your fridge and when you are ready for a quick meal, slice them open, add some low-fat cheese and maybe some beans or broccoli, and warm everything in the microwave.
When you apply the basic principles of nutrition, you maximize the quality of the fuel you feed your body. This is an important step in your overall health and wellness plan. Like using the proper fuel in you car, proper nutrition can optimize the overall performance of your body. Remember, don't live to eat, instead, eat to live!
Omega 3 fatty acids should be consumed for a healthy heart. These poly unsaturated fatty acids work to lower the triglycerides and increase HDL, the good cholesterol, in your body. Omega 3 fatty acids can also prevent blood from clotting inside your body. Studies also show that consuming Omega 3 fats can help to lower blood pressure.
If you want to purchase any prepared foods, take a close look at the label first. Just because something is labeled "reduced-fat" doesn't mean it is nutritionally sound. Often, they are loaded with unhealthy ingredients like sugar and lots of salt. Avoid processed foods if you are trying to lose weight. Labels should always list ingredients in terms you can understand. If many artificial ingredients are listed on the label, it's best to pass on the product.
Make whole grains a part of your daily food intake. Whole grains pack a much more nutritional punch than processed grains that have had most of their nutrients refined out of them. Try including brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and 100% whole grain bread to your daily diet. You will get the fiber your body needs in addition to the beneficial nutrients.
Try to substitute healthy alternatives for fatty or sugary foods you enjoy. For example, instead of a bowl of ice cream, you can have some yogurt with fruit. Instead of french fries, try half of a baked potato. You don't have to cut out all the good tasting food in your life, just make healthier choices about what the tasty things you do eat.
If you have bought one of the new special peanut butters with extra omega-3s added in order to improve your nutrition, be aware that you've mostly bought a marketing ploy. Though many foods are fortified in a way that makes a real difference nutritionally, the amount of omega-3s added to this special (and expensive) peanut butter is so small that you would have to eat 8 sandwiches' worth (16 tablespoons) to get as much omega-3 as in a four-ounce serving of salmon.
When considering your nutrition, do not over do it with vitamins and supplements. Multivitamin pills can never replace the amount of nutrients that you receive in eating food. While they are good to compliment your meal with, never substitute a pill for real food. Your body might not react well to a large intake of concentrated vitamins.
A great nutrition tip is to start taking a multivitamin. Multivitamins are great because they cover a large area of vitamins and nutrients, and they can help balance out any diet. There are different multivitamins available for different age groups, so it's important that you get the right one for you.
Even if you have been to the restaurant a million times before, don't just sit down and order your usual dish. Many restaurants have started to make the effort to highlight healthier choices and meal options on the lighter side of their menu. Scrutinize the menu at your favorite eatery and look for special sections for healthier dining options or special symbols that indicate a low-fat, low-sodium, or heart-healthy option.
Cook up several whole potatoes and stuff them to have later as a quick meal. Potatoes keep great after being baked or even boiled. Just stick them in your fridge and when you are ready for a quick meal, slice them open, add some low-fat cheese and maybe some beans or broccoli, and warm everything in the microwave.
When you apply the basic principles of nutrition, you maximize the quality of the fuel you feed your body. This is an important step in your overall health and wellness plan. Like using the proper fuel in you car, proper nutrition can optimize the overall performance of your body. Remember, don't live to eat, instead, eat to live!
About the Author:
About author: Dr. PJ Prakash has a Ph.D. in Nutrition from the Univ. of Rhode Island (USA). Visit his website to download your Nutritional Weight Loss eCourse, or to get advice on good nutrition.
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