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.
Hard boiled eggs are a healthy and easily portable protein source. Boil a bunch and keep them in your fridge to take with you when on the go, or packing a lunch. They are economical and will help you feel great. Protein keeps us feeling full and energetic.
Instead of snacking on sweet items like cookies and ice cream, try their healthier counterparts. Replace cookies with items like granola, oatmeal and cereal, and fruit bars. For ice cream, try going with low-fat or non-fat yogurt. These options not only taste better than the unhealthier ones, but you get nutrients like iron, calcium, fiber and much more in your diet.
An unknown boon to many, studies have shown that red wine is actually a healthy choice. Compared to white wine, red wine has less sugar and more healthy nutrients. Nutritionists believe that drinking one glass of red wine per day may increase your life expectancy. The same idea applies to dark chocolate.
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.
Organic food is much in the news these days and many of us are paying attention, as we should. Eating organically grown foods maximizes the nutrients we receive. One reason is that the soil on an organic farm is richer in the nutrients we need, which then imparts these nutrients into the food that we eat.
You can be very creative with food without your children even realizing it. Chop up some extra vegetables, and throw them in your chili. You can ever puree fruit, and add it to a smoothie, and your child will think they are having a nice cold dessert.
Cat food nutrition seems to be an ongoing concern for pet owners. The best way to be sure, that your kitty is getting what he or she needs for a proper diet, is to ask the vet. Find out what percentage you cat needs from each dietary category. This will allow you to be a better judge of your kitty’s food consumption.
When concerned with what liquids to drink, you will find that water is perfectly satisfying for your nutrition needs. You should definitely avoid sugary soda drinks. You can find fortified water that contains vitamins to be a great alternative. Because of water and these vitamin drinks, you will not be spiking your system with sugar and excessive calories. This will help you become healthier.
Avoid using the microwave too much, since the foods that are cooked in there are usually not that healthy. Try to consume natural foods if you are looking to lose weight and look healthier.
A great nutrition tip is to wash your fruit off thoroughly before you eat it. Fruits such as apples tend to have a lot of bacteria on them, and if you’re not washing them off before you eat them, you could potentially get really sick.
While sports drinks with electrolytes are good for situations in which you are undergoing a highly rigorous physical activity, such as playing basketball or football, they aren’t necessary for the average fitness buff. Unless you risk severe hydration during your workout or sports activity, stick with cold water instead of hitting the sports drinks.
Hunting ones own small game if it is an option often has additional benefits besides the lean meat one can obtain free of cost to supplement their nutrition. Often obtaining the meat can be a workout in itself. Hunting can be a recreational activity one can do to relax and also improve their nutrition.
A great nutrition tip you should know about is to invest in creatine if you’re interested in gaining muscle. Creatine is naturally produced in the body and it’s great for muscle recovery. Taking creatine can make you bloated, but it’s only water weight so it’s nothing you should worry about.
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!