Healthy Eating 101
Around the world, many diseases related to unhealthy eating are becoming major concerns. In fact, the incidence rates of obesity and heart diseases are fast increasing, even in First World Countries such as the United States.
And with the rising cost of medicine, being ill is definitely a major problem.
If you really want to live life to the fullest, you must have a positive outlook. You should try not to be stressed or find ways to effectively de-stress. In addition, you must have a healthy body. A healthy body means regular exercise and a proper and balanced diet.
Numerous studies support that eating healthy does not only reduce the risks of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity but many other diseases as well.
Shifting to a healthy diet could mean an overhaul of your past eating habits. This may not be easy. But no matter how hard it is, keep in mind that it is always achievable. Healthy eating is all about balance, moderation and variety.
Your body needs more than 40 different nutrients in order to be healthy and not one single food item can supply all the nutrients. Thus, your diet should include food from each of the food groups- the go, grow and glow food groups. Make sure that your daily meals include the following; fruits; vegetables; bread and whole-grain products such as cereals; dairy products and protein-rich food sources such as meat, fish and poultry.
Make sure to eat 6 servings of bread, rice, cereals or pasta. The ideal amount of fruits would be 2-4 servings daily while vegetable intake should be equivalent to 3-5 servings every day. The recommended serving for cooked meat, on the other hand, is 3 ounces daily.
The key to a healthy diet is not about eliminating certain food items from your daily menu but to eat food in moderation. Eating should be a pleasure too. You need not stay away from steaks, chocolates, whole milk or even junk food. The key is to eat those foods in moderate portions. Too much and too often of anything is not good for your health.
Make sure that you eat balanced proportions of each. How much you should ingest would depend on your body’s calorie needs. For an accurate assessment, consult a nutritionist or dietitian.
Don’t be too afraid of fat. You must know that there are different kinds of fats and not all of them are bad for your health. In fact, some are essential nutrients that keep the body functioning properly. Fat is an important source of energy. In addition, it carries fat-soluble vitamins necessary for proper growth and development.
But too much fat can lead to heart disease, obesity and other problems. To avoid eating too much, make sure to consume 30 per cent or less of your total recommended daily amount of calories from fat, with 10 per cent or less of those calories from saturated fat.
Never, never skip meals! If you think that skipping meals is the easiest and most effective way of losing weigh, you are definitely wrong. In fact, skipping those lunches can lead to out-of-control hunger, which often results to overeating. Try to eat a moderate amount of snacks in between meals to curb hunger.
Determine your diet pitfalls in order to improve your eating habits. Examine what you have eaten for the past days and determine which food group you gorged on and which one you missed out on. Then try to balance your diet. In time, you’ll get used to the pattern that soon, eating a balanced and healthy diet would be effortless.
Always check the labels when buying your groceries. Read the nutrient contents of each. Opt for products that are lower in fat, sugar and sodium.
And most of all be determined and disciplined if you really want to change your eating habits. Take your time and make changes gradually. Keep in mind that there are no easy ways to a healthy diet and there are no super foods that can supply everything your body needs.
Changing your bad eating habits is not an overnight process. You may falter from time to time, but remember that acquiring healthy eating habits is not impossible.
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Energy Drinks | Energy Bars - Are They a Good Idea for You?
Are you trying to live a healthy lifestyle? Do you hope that using energy drinks and energy bars will help you stay alert, keep active and lose weight?
While the claims made by advertisers can be convincing it is important for you to understand the differences between products and how that affects your health.
ENERGY DRINKS, SPORTS DRINKS and MEAL REPLACEMENTS
Energy drinks have become a three billion dollar business in the US. However, the popularity of these drinks does not mean that they are all created equal.
Sports drinks, like Gatorade, are created for athletes to replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes. Water alone cannot provide these nutrients to hard working bodies. These additions, along with flavor enhancement which encourages more drinking, can help with rehydration which will increase energy if lack of hydration is the cause of fatigue.
Energy drinks that are advertising a herbal energizer are not always using enough of the herb to create any noticeable effect. On the contrary, if too much of the potent herb is present it could even cause adverse reactions with other medications.
Many of the marketed energy drinks rely on caffeine as a stimulant. They are also very high in sugar. While this may give you an initial boost it will also lead to sharp drops in sugar levels which will create a cycle of dependency. The caffeine can also lead to addiction - a special danger to children who may regularly choose energy drinks without understanding the health risks of caffeine.
Meal replacement drinks can also improve energy in that they provide optimum nutrients which may otherwise be lacking in the diet and causing fatigue. However, meal replacement drinks are high in calories and will actually increase your calorie intake per day if added to a regular diet instead of used in place of a meal.
ENERGY BARS and MEAL REPLACEMENT BARS
Energy bars seem like a smart choice when a hungry guy or girl just doesn’t have time for a meal. However, choosing wisely will prevent you from making unhealthy selections or adding unwanted calories to your diet.
Energy bars have the same precautions as energy drinks. While some may provide you with a quick lift they may also be high in things which are not very good for you - like sugar and hydrogenated oils.
Soft textured bars are more likely to have high levels of hydrogenated oils. Choosing a bar with whole grains and fruits that is harder in texture is more likely to give you the proper source of energy producing carbs that you want without the less desirable additions.
Again, meal replacement bars are just that - designed as a full meal replacement for weight loss or calorie restriction. Eating a meal replacement bar in addition to your regular diet will only increase the amount of calories you take in which will not provide you with the energy you desire.
Adding the appropriate choice of energy bars or drinks to a balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy diet even when you are on the go. Including them as a part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle will provide you the most health benefits and greatest energy.
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