Proper nutrition is the basic foundation of good health. Everything your body needs comes from the food you eat-energy to move, and building blocks for everything from muscles to brain chemicals. That’s why nutrition is so important. Read on for some nutrition tips to keep your body and mind well.
One of the best ways to ensure that you meet all of your body’s nutritional needs while avoiding overeating, is to sit down at a table for your meals. This allows you to focus on what you’re eating and how it tastes, so that you’ll feel more satisfied and get full quicker.
One of the most important nutrients that your body needs is water. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Preferably, use filtered tap water to simultaneously avoid cluttering the environment with bottles but also avoid drinking any chemicals or contaminants that may be found in your local tap water supply.
Calcium is one of the most important things our bodies need to perform optimally. Whether you’re nine years old or forty-nine years old, everyone needs calcium. At younger ages, calcium aids in the building of healthy bones. At older ages, our bones begin to deteriorate. Calcium can slow and even stop that process.
Even artificial sweeteners can raise your blood sugar and insulin levels in much the same way as sugar. Although they may be lower in calories, they are not necessarily any more healthy. Instead change on how much you depend on sweet things. Start by cutting your sugars in half and work you way to not needing them at all.
Use extra virgin olive oil in your cooking. Unlike hydrogenated oils that can clog arteries, extra virgin olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats that can protect you from heart disease. It can reduce the level of bad cholesterol and raise the level of good cholesterol. It also plays a role in the prevention of colon cancer.
When eating out, ask your server for his or her recommendations. Restaurants often specifically train their servers to be very familiar with the menu. The next time you find yourself eating out, do not be afraid to question the staff. They will likely be able to point out to you, the healthiest choices on the menu.
Get garlic breath! This pungent and flavorful food has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a powerful tool for lowering your blood pressure and even helping to lower your bad cholesterol levels. Try using it to flavor vegetables and pastas, or as a topping on pizza. Always use fresh cloves and only cook it lightly to preserve the most nutrients.
A good nutrition tip is to try to eat more alkaline based foods and avoid acid based foods. Eating a lot of acid based foods can upset your body’s balance and make you become sick. Some good alkaline based foods are nuts, artichokes and bananas, just to name a few.
A great nutritional tip is to turn off the television so that it won’t distract your child when he or she eats. Eating in front of the television can lead to poor eating habits and it makes you unaware of how much you’re eating. Get your child to focus on eating instead of watching television.
Make an effort to cook your meals instead of eating out. When you are the one preparing your meals you have total control over each and every ingredient that goes into the preparation and you can avoid those that you know are not particularly good for you.
When you are eating, it helps if you actually eat your food slower. When you savor your food, it is more likely that you will feel full much quicker, than if you just wolf it all down at once. You can even try eating half of your meal and then pausing for a few minutes and then finishing the rest.
Many people are not aware of how damaging trans fats can be. They are commonly found in processed food, such as margarine or shortening and are frequently found in ready to eat food, such as commercial pot pies. These fats, deposit and clog your arteries, because your body does not know how to process them. It’s okay to use saturated fat, like butter or coconut oil, in moderation instead.
True yams are very different from sweet potatoes, but are worth seeking out, and are frequently found in ethnic markets. It’s got lots of Vitamin C and B6, in addition to lots of minerals and fiber. They are quite popular baked in their skins or mashed, where their natural sweetness and bright color makes them popular with kids.
The benefits of practicing proper nutrition are varied and plentiful. Hopefully you learned something from this article that can improve your nutrition, and you’ll put it into play today! Try eating good, healthy food and see if it doesn’t change the way to feel and think every day! Good luck!