Nutrition isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. If you follow the basic guidelines, you will find it easier to stay healthy. It can be hard to know what to do because there is so much information available. Here are some quick tips on what you should do to make being healthy a lifestyle.
It’s important to always keep an open mind about new foods. Even picky eaters should try to be adventurous, as you never know when you’ll find a new, healthy food to add to your list of favorites. Keeping a diverse culinary palette is important, as relying on just a few different foods can lead to a lack of important nutrients.
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.
Many people take an inconsistent approach to nutrition because the subject isn’t naturally exciting. They may start the day with a donut, then feel guilty later and try to go for something healthier. If you are one of these people, consider simplifying things for yourself by making different, less unhealthy choices when you get your junk-food fix. If you like donuts, try a low-fat muffin next time. Then maybe work your way down to an egg-white flatbread. Also try changing your half-and-half to milk. If you make slow, incremental changes, soon you will find that you’re making more nutritious choices and that the old junky choices just don’t taste as good.
Everyone should have their vitamin D level checked at least once a year. If they are deficient their doctor can recommend a supplement to increase their level. Even though vitamin D is supplemented in milk, many people do not drink enough to get the amount they need. The other main source of vitamin D is from sunlight. Since people in northern countries have less sun exposure during the year they are especially prone to deficiency. Widespread sunscreen use has contributed to low levels of vitamin D also.
In order to maintain a healthy body, getting the right amount of sleep is very instrumental. A good sleeping tip that anyone can do is to limit the intake of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. These substances can disturb sleep patterns, and therefore, will prevent the body from having proper rest.
Write down and collect healthy recipes. Cook books are expensive and seldom have much useful information. Make your own instead. Buy a pack of index cards and use them to copy down any healthy recipes you try and enjoy. Replace all those high calorie, unhealthy recipes you had been saving with the new ones.
When trying to lose weight, it is vital that you keep your metabolism high. Green tea can help. Green tea has components that have been proven to raise your metabolism. In addition, spicy foods have been proven to raise your metabolism. Consider adding chili peppers to your food to achieve this.
Instead of reaching for coffee or an energy drink the moment that you wake up, turn to a grapefruit, apple or orange instead. Natural fruits are fantastic for your body because they come with a multitude of vitamins that are essential for your health and nutrition. Adding these to your routine, can also improve your energy level during the day.
If you eat cereal for breakfast but find yourself hungry soon after, you might do better with a different type of cereal. Try one that contains more fiber, which will keep you feeling full longer. A whole grain cereal is not only healthier, but it’s also more filling. And if you’re eating one that’s high in sugar, a lower-sugar cereal will help avoid a sugar crash, that can contribute to that empty feeling.
Believe it or not, salad is not always your best bet when it comes to dining out. Fast food restaurants and chain eateries often offer up side salads that reach into the thousand calorie range – and that’s before you add dressing and croutons. If you are at a restaurant and the salad still looks like your best bet, ask your waiter to bring out the dressing on the side. This ensures that you will not be forced into consuming an unnecessarily generous amount of dressing. Better yet, opt for fat-free dressings.
Reading was the easy part! Putting into practice what you have learned will take a little more effort but be well worth the energy spent and even give you more energy in the long run. You have taken the initial steps necessary to begin positive changes in your consumption habits and once you put them into action you will be much happier and healthier for it!