Sunday, May 6, 2012

Make Better Food Choices For A Better Life

By Helen Hire


Eating properly is a smart move for your lifestyle. But like anything worthwhile in life, you need to work at it. Once you have committed yourself to beginning a healthier diet, you need to make a comprehensive plan and state how you intend to reach your goals.

A great diet tip is to buy a blender that you will use to make smoothies. Fruit smoothies are a great substitute for ice cream. Create smoothies that replace ice cream by using milk, fresh fruit, and some yogurt.

Fiber sets the groundwork for both health and nutrition by reducing the risk of obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and other illnesses and fitness issues. Soluble fiber is a big help in dealing with cholesterol and unhealthy fat. The fiber soaks these things up like a sponge and then drags them out with it so they don't stay in your body. At a minimum, a woman's daily intake of fiber should be 20 grams while a man's should be no less than 30 grams. Diets filled with fruit, vegetables and whole grains will help you get the fiber you need. If you find yourself having trouble getting enough fiber in your diet, there are always supplements that you can turn to.

Eating nutritionally can be difficult when you decide to make lifestyle changes regarding your diet. You may find it hard to resist the comfort foods you love in order to chose healthy foods instead. Your favorite comfort foods will become less appetizing to you once get used to eating healthier foods. You then let nutrition lead your decisions, not your emotions.

If you suffer from diabetes, ask your doctor if it is okay to consume alcohol. Alcohol can be dangerous if you're diabetics because if you drink too much, your levels of blood glucose can be drastically lowered.

Always buy produce that is in season, as these foods are more nutritious and cheaper as well. Fresh vegetables are fruits are full of the essential vitamins and minerals your body requires. Buying seasonal produce allows you to get the best prices and stay on a budget.

Vary your protein sources, and don't consume just meat. There are many other sources of protein. For example, try eating beans, buts, soy, fish, and more. Most of these foods are highly versatile so you can use them as a reliable source of protein in the form of entrees, side dishes or even snacks. Keep your diet interesting by switching up the types of proteins that you use.

Most vegetables are a low-calorie food, and they can be either, fresh, frozen or canned. Veggies have vitamins and minerals that have you healthy and feeling satisfied longer. You should aim to consume a few servings every day. You can add them in a salad or in vegetable soup.

Consuming an adequate amount of water is one of the most important things you can do to improve your nutrition. There is more water than any other substance in your body and it is therefore necessary to hydrate yourself regularly. The general rule is to drink around eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.

Have a friend help to support you during your major life changes, such as dieting. The person you choose for support can be a mentor, or just another person seeking the same results. When you begin a new weight loss program it is important to have a supportive person to discuss it with.

When you look at the nutrition label, you will know what you are putting in your body. Always avoid foods that contain 5% or more of saturated fat, cholesterol or sodium. If you eat foods these foods in excess you will be increasing your chances of getting life threatening diseases.

Eat brightly colored foods! Vegetables that are bright in color are high in nutritional value and low in calories. You should eat a bright veggie or fruit at every meal. Much of the antioxidant properties are found in the skins. So, if you can eat the skin, do not peel it from the fruit or vegetable.

Careful reading of food labels is essential. Foods that may be advertised as reduced fat could contain other undesirable ingredient in high amounts such as sugar or sodium. Foods that have been highly processed are not good to eat when weight loss is the goal. A good sign to look for is an ingredient list full of clear, unambiguous, natural items. Try not to buy or eat food that is mostly artificial ingredients.

Cook mushrooms well prior to eating. They contain carcinogens that can hurt you, so cook them thoroughly. Keeping an eye out on your health is vital because this can affect your body's ability in burning fat.

As you can tell, creating a healthy diet requires knowledge, as well as willpower. You'll also need to continue to put effort into your diet to continue seeing good results. If you use the tips that this article has provided to you, your weight loss plan will be successful.




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