As a quick look on packaged food labels will reveal, the phrase “nutrition” covers each element in food that supplies your body with required nutrients. These tips will help you figure it out.
One decision regarding nutrition is whether or not to eat meat. A vegetarian diet has long been espoused in the East, less so in the West. There are voices which show the nutritional deficiencies of a diet without meat. There are vegetarian advocates who show ways to make up these deficiencies–without eating meat. Consider both and decide for yourself!
Lower your sodium intake by flavoring foods with herbs and spices, rather than salt. By using fresh herbs in everything from sandwiches to vegetables to eggs, you can amp up the flavor without the negative health effects of sodium. Herbs are simple to grow on your kitchen windowsill or porch and therefore, can be easily accessible whenever you need them.
For best nutrition, be sure to choose fats wisely. Butter was once thought to be the enemy due to the high amount of saturated fat. However, margarine has been found to be high in trans fats, which are unhealthy for the heart. Best would be to limit your fats as much as possible; second best would be one of the “Smart Balance” non-trans-fat type margarine’s, and third best would be to use real butter, but very sparingly.
Crunchy carrots are healthy additions to your diet. Don’t forget to add them to your diet. Besides being tasty snacks, they have significant health benefits. There carotene, Vitamin A, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fiber content protect your skin, improve your eyesight and add healthy levels of minerals to your body.
Raisins and other dry fruits make for a great addition to hot cereals. Keep a box or two around so you can always take advantage of the vitamins they pack. Simply sprinkle them into your oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat or any hot cereal after you’ve cooked it. They will quickly absorb moisture and release part of their flavor right into your bowl.
Avoid drinking your calories in liquid form. Drinks with a great deal of calories, such as milk, energy drinks and fruit juice can give you a large amount of calories without satiating your hunger. Sodas, beer, drink mixes and shakes are full of empty calories and provide no nutritional content whatsoever.
Another essential nutrient is a B vitamin called pantothenic acid. This is essential in a metabolic process known as Tricarboxylic acid cycle. This vitamin will help to balance your enzyme activity as well. Meats and whole grains are the primary sources for pantothenic acid.
It is important to get enough fiber in your diet, because it helps reduce cancer risk and prevents a disease called diverticulosis, in addition to helping prevent constipation. Good sources of fiber include whole grains, whole fruits, and vegetables, in lieu of, white bread and white rice which are poor choices.
While potatoes are extremely nutritious, the monotony of brown skin and white flesh can be fairly boring. Adding other vegetables to a puree, such as cauliflower to mashed potatoes, can help boost the nutritional value. Adding colored varieties, like naturally purple or yellow varieties, can add spark and interest to a plate.
Going fishing in waters that one knows are free from pollutants and are clean can be a fun way to yield fresh fish to supplement ones diet. The fish which can be eaten that day, frozen, or preserved are a healthy food to supplement ones diet with a good nutritional option.
Make sure that you check the expiration date for all of the foods and drinks that you put into your body. It is much better to have fresh food in your stomach as this is easily broken down and free of toxins. Get rid of old food to maximize the way that your skin looks.
Do you best to limit the amount of processed and packaged foods that you consume. These foods are very high in refined sugars and fats that will really catch up with you. Try to take the time to prepare fresh, healthy meals that are made up of proper nutritional values.
Do some of your meal prep ahead of time so that making nutritious meals won’t seem like such a chore. You can prepare fresh vegetables in advance for cooking by washing and trimming them and then wrapping them in paper toweling and popping them into a plastic bag in the refrigerator to stay fresh for a day or more. Then they will be ready to go when you are ready to cook.
You don’t need to be a food scientist or a nutrition expert, in order to properly understand the benefits of certain foods and how to get the most nutritional value out of your diet. You only need to read some great tips like what you’ve just learned here and make sure to use them to balance your diet.