Your interest in nutrition means that you are probably already a label reader as you traverse the supermarket aisles. You also hear about food and nutrition on the evening news. The knowledge you acquire about nutrition for optimal health can truly be life-changing. These tips will help you in your efforts to get the health and energy-giving nutrients that you need.
Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and nuts. You should try to eliminate snacking all together, but if you find yourself craving something to munch on throughout the day or for a midnight snack, try having a piece of fruit. It can be just as filling as a cupcake or cookie but it’s a lot healthier and a lot less calories.
In order to have a healthy body, it is important to eat breakfast every day. It is the most important meal of the day because it improves your cognitive skills and provides the necessary energy needed throughout the day. Studies show that people who eat breakfast, tend to eat less during the day.
Avoid pre-packaged and prepared foods whenever possible if you are looking for the healthiest nutrition. In almost every case pretreated foods and pre-cooked meals feature added ingredients for preservation that are extremely bad for you. It is far better to prepare your own food from fresh ingredients than to rely on food prepared in a factory.
Take a good, high-quality multi-vitamin daily for optimum nutrition. Although it is better to get minerals and vitamins from actual food, taking a daily multivitamin helps fill in the gaps.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is especially true for those of us who are attempting to lose weight. Go light on the carbohydrates at breakfast for they can cause a blood sugar spike that results in a mid-morning slump. Eat mostly protein and fat at breakfast for lasting energy.
Animal fats are seen as culprits of high cholesterol by many nutritionists, so many people are avoiding animal fats. The mainstream recommendation is currently that we make animal fats no more than 10% of our caloric intake. But, there is another voice that says these fats contain necessary nutrients, amino acids that contain carnitine and other substances vital to fat metabolism.
The humble cabbage family (including kale, collard and mustard greens), provides us with an especially good buy, nutritionally. If you haven’t yet added these to your diet, you should. These dark green leafy vegetables are renowned providers of phosphorus, calcium, iron and carotenoids. Also, they are inexpensive!
You might buy ground turkey thinking that it’s lower fat, and therefore better for you nutritionally. But you should always read the labels, and ground turkey is no exception. Ground turkey contains both white and dark meat, the latter being high in fat. And ground turkey, though certainly leaner than ground hamburger, is actually higher in fat than ground sirloin.
If you are hosting a luncheon, and you desire to keep the food as healthy as possible, consider serving a healthy version of tuna salad. Tuna is low in calories, rich in protein, and is a great choice for getting omega-3 fatty acids. Purchase a few cans of white beans, and puree the beans in a blender. Once pureed, mix the beans with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, and combine both mixtures with the tuna. Instantly, you have made a healthier version of tuna salad that will go a long way in serving a large gathering.
To cleanse your colon, look for nutrient rich foods that are rich in fiber. Fiber works as a natural laxative, making it a perfect choice for colon cleansing. To keep your health optimal, you should be sure to consume plenty of nutrients while you cleanse. Foods like green peas, spinach, and kidney beans will cleanse your colon while providing your body with vitamins and minerals.
To reduce the pain of menstrual cramps, try consuming bromelain. Bromelain is substance found in pineapple. It’s a natural muscle relaxer that works similarly to many over the counter drugs. However, because bromelain is a natural substance, its effects can last much longer. Bromelain has also been shown to reduce the number of inflammatory cells in your body.
Try eating ground turkey instead of beef, you may complain that it is dry. If your ground turkey is dry, add some onions or peppers. Also consider adding in EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). You will eat a healthier option but maintain a familiar, acceptable taste.
These are just a few ideas that can get you going in the right direction or that can give you some new ways to get the nutrients that you need. Don’t expect instant results – this is a long-term process. Ignoring the advice is like running a motor without ever changing the oil. Sure, you won’t see any effects for a long time, but little by little the motor is sustaining irreversible damage. Don’t let that happen to your body!