Many people think of bland salads that use iceberg lettuce and plain tomatoes, when it comes to discussing nutrition. The truth of the matter is that following a smart diet need not be unpleasant. In fact, exploring nutrition exposes you to a whole new perspective on food. Remember when reading the following advice that food is ultimately what fuels your brain and body.
A great way to get a healthy and nutritional start to your day is with a balanced breakfast. Include a protein source, such as a dairy product, a carbohydrate source such as cereal or toast, and a fruit or vegetable such as a banana. This will keep you from getting hungry later as well.
Sick of boring meals? One great and simple nutrition tip for making your food taste better is to use spices. Read up on what spices go well with different kinds of meats and other dishes and keep a list. Then visit your local grocery store to purchase these spices. Then get cooking!
Your protein intake should come from food sources other than meats. There are plenty of options available. Find it in fish, tofu, legumes, and most nuts. Most of these foods can function as a main course or be used as additives in other dishes. Add different kinds of proteins to your diet, this will help mix things up and keep it interesting.
When looking at the amount of calories in a food, make sure that you pay attention to serving size. If a serving of cereal is 200 calories but the serving size is half a cup, know that a bowl of cereal will be far more than 200 calories! Often serving sizes listed are less than what people typically eat.
Limit your intake of frozen meals if you’re watching your sodium intake. The salt content in most frozen meals is ridiculous. Some even contain an entire day’s worth of salt. They may be convenient, but are you willing to risk your health over spending a few extra minutes in the kitchen?
A great tip for living a healthier lifestyle is to eat a healthy breakfast. Breakfast is essential because if you start the day off right, you are more likely to continue to eat right throughout the day. Eat a muffin, a couple eggs and some fresh fruit. Avoid foods rich in sugar and calories, such as, pancakes with syrup.
Focus on eating the whole fruit instead of drinking the packaged juice. The whole fruit gives you more complete nutrition than just the juice. It includes the fiber, which is healthy for digestion, and the skin, which contains many important nutrients. Packaged juices usually do not include the fiber and skin, and therefore, do not provide all the benefits of the fruit.
Request a special meal on an airplane to be served first. Airlines usually offer special meals, such as vegetarian or kosher. The people who ask for these are generally served before anyone else. Be careful though, sometimes the meal may take longer to prepare, and you will end up being the last to eat.
To be sure your body is getting proper nutrition, you should eat a balanced diet that includes a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Avoid low fat or low carbohydrate diets as these can result in nutritional gaps. Instead, focus on eating lean protein such as chicken or fish, complex carbohydrates including vegetables and whole grains, and healthy fats such as olive oil or coconut oil.
A good nutrition tip is to start taking iodine as a supplement. Iodine works to produce the T4 and T3 hormones, which are essential in regulating your thyroid. If you’ve been to the doctor and you found out your T4 or T3 levels are down, taking an iodine supplement can be very beneficial.
Pack your lunch. Rather than going to a fast food restaurant for lunch, bring your own. Use a variety of bread for healthy sandwiches, such as wholemeal rolls, ciabatta or pita bread. Choose fillings that are high in protein such as chicken or tuna. A healthy alternative to a sandwich is a flask of soup, and always include a piece of fresh fruit or some sliced raw vegetables.
Nutrition during pregnancy has special requirements to ensure that your baby is as healthy as possible. Focusing on iron-rich foods will make sure that your developing baby will have an adequate oxygen supply during development. Iron-rich foods can also help prevent premature delivery. Good sources of iron include lean meat, chicken and fish.
As you can see, eating a balanced, nutritious diet is easy and fun. There is a lot of room for creativity in the world of food, so it is a wonderful way to enhance your quality of life without limiting yourself. These tips are only the beginning to a new, healthier you!