Nutrition can be a major key into whether you live a healthy or an unhealthy life. Proper nutrition is not that complicated, but it does require some research so that you don’t end up losing money or sales. This list of tips should help you become proactive in bettering your life.
To avoid eating too much food at mealtime when dieting, use smaller plates, bowls and cups. It is instinct to fill up your plate so if you use smaller dishes, you will eat less food. Your mind will also let your stomach know you are full since you see a full plate when eating.
Eat a diet high in whole grains. Eating whole grains will make you healthier than if you stuck to white refined carbs. Some examples of whole grains you should eat every day are: whole wheat pasta, brown rice, whole wheat bread and oatmeal. Whole grains have significantly more fiber than more refined or “white” grains.
Find healthy alternatives to frying your favorite foods. Fried foods are bad for you. This does not mean you have to eliminate all your favorite foods from your household. Just find new, healthier ways to cook them. Instead of frying try baking, braising, broiling, steaming, or poaching your meals instead.
If you need to lower LDL cholesterol -that’s the unhealthy kind- you might consider increasing your intake of something that’s not usually known for healthy living: Beer. Studies have recently shown this benefit from beer also increases the good kind of cholesterol, HDL. Those with problems with alcohol shouldn’t take this approach, and moderation is always in order for everyone.
Nutrition is key to any successful exercise routine, so be sure not to let your body run out of fuel. If you are going to exercise for more than 90 minutes, you will need to replenish your store of energy. Eat 50 to 60 grams of carbohydrates for each hour you plan to exercise.
The nutritional value of fish makes it a “must” in our diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are its most touted value. Salmon is especially high in Omega 3’s. But fish also provide other good things: protein, vitamins A and D, and valuable trace minerals. These nutrients are best found in “wild caught” fish.
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.
Breakfast should contain both protein and carbohydrates. That’s because your body is depleted of its carbohydrate stores in the morning and needs to be replenished with carbohydrates in order for your body to function at its optimal level. The combination of carbohydrate and protein sets the stage for good nutrition because they activate body systems to act as they should.
Switching ground beef for ground turkey is a great health idea. You can add olive oil and chopped onions to enhance the flavor and make your turkey more moist. By doing this you will get excellent flavor with little fat.
Enjoy a drink now and again. Countless studies have shown that a drink now and then, whether it be a glass of wine or beer, is actually good for you. A certain amount of alcohol can help to lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease. That being said, you should aim for a low-alcohol version, which is obviously, lower in calories.
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.
To help your body digest its food properly, make lunch or breakfast the largest meal of your day. It’s common to eat a larger dinner, but dinner is typically consumed close to bedtime and it’s more difficult for your body to break down foods while you’re asleep. A small dinner, accompanied by a big lunch or breakfast, will assure that your body can use all the nutrients that you consume.
As you can see, there is a lot more to proper nutrition than most people think. It requires a lot of work and patience, but it will be worth it in the end to help improve your quality of life. By following the above tips, you are well on your way to improving your diet.