Providing Your Body with the Right Nutrition
Developing healthy eating habits isn’t as difficult or confusing as it seems, and anyone can easily achieve a basic healthy diet without compromising on their health and favourite foods. Whether you are trying to lose weight or simply want your body to perform at its peak, getting all the right nutrients is crucial for making it happen.
The following outlines the basics of what you need to know, if you want to start constructing a more nutritious diet.
1. Eat a Variety of Food, Including High-Fibre Foods, and Foods High in Antioxidants
There is such a large variety of vitamins and minerals we need that it’s hard to get them all from only a handful of sources, which is why you should always eat a varied diet. Not only that, but some fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats have pesticides or toxic substances in them,more than others, so by eating a variety of food, you aren’t continually subjected to any toxin.
When people tell you to eat plenty of carbohydrates, what they really want is for you to eat plenty of the ‘good’ carbohydrates – or foods that are high in fibre. This includes fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, and they are ‘good’ carbs, because they are nutritious, filling, and relatively low in calories. You need about 20-30 grams of dietary fibre each day, and the best way to get it is by eating these healthy foods, rather than white bread and pasta.
Antioxidants, and other nutrients, in fruits and vegetables that are green, orange, and yellow help protect your body against certain types of cancer, and other diseases. Five or more servings of food, such as broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits are what you need each day.
2. Eliminate Refined Sugars and Grains
Part of a healthy diet is also eliminating things that are bad for you, such as sugary foods and refined grain products. Not only do sugary snacks and white bread not provide you with the nutrients you need, but they are also high in calories.
3. Get the Right Fat
There are a few different types of fat, some which your body needs to stay healthy, and some that boost ‘bad’ cholesterol, which comes with other detrimental side effects. Animal fats are rich in saturated fat, which isn’t as good for you as the unsaturated fats that are found in fish and nuts. Try eating lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and olive or canola oil in place of butter. Avoid foods that are filled with trans-fatty acids, such as hydrogenated vegetable oils and processed fast food.
4. Get the Right Protein
There are plenty of ways you can get all the protein you need in your diet. The best sources include grass-fed beef, organic chicken, wild salmon and tuna fish, organic eggs, plain organic yoghurt, tempeh, quinoa and almonds. Protein supplements can also be taken if you don’t think you’regetting enough, or you can add some protein powder to a breakfast shake.
5. Drink Plenty of Water
One of the most critical elements of your health is drinking water. Water is essential for every bodily process, and not having enough of it makes it hard for your body to function properly. There are a lot of opinions out there regarding how much water you need every day, but a good rule of thumb is that if you’re thirsty, drink water instead!
