Our bodies evolved in harmony with the earth. They are amazingly complex adaptations to what the earth provides. We were given every ingredient we need for good health. But the current prevalence of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other problems, tells us that something has gone awry. These tips on nutrition are designed to help you get your body back to a state of harmonious health.
When cooking, use as little butter as possible. Instead, use olive oil. It contains monounsaturated fats which are actually healthy and beneficial to your health. Butter is loaded with saturated fat, something that is harder for your body to burn through and increases your risk of heart complications. So, use olive oil as a substitute for butter, whenever possible.
Organic foods can help boost the nutrition of your daily diet. Mounting scientific evidence shows that organic foods are higher in nutrients, and lower in nitrates. You can get more organic blocks from eating healthier, just like you’re supposed to eat. Once you taste one, you will understand.
A great tip for living a healthier lifestyle is to understand that eating foods rich in fat is not necessarily a bad thing. Certain types of fat, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, are very healthy. Unsaturated fat is the bad kind of fat. Nuts are a great source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat.
Most of us have a “sweet tooth” that needs to be satisfied. How we satisfy it, has great importance for our health. Refined sugars, which is found in many processed foods, ,are detrimental to our health. Vegetables such as carrots, beets and winter squash are naturally high in sugar and are healthy. For the intense sweet taste that we sometimes crave, honey and maple syrup are recommended.
Eat dark chocolate instead of white or milk chocolate. The dark variety is good for your heart as it aids in controlling your blood pressure. The antioxidants contained in dark chocolate can also help lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. To get the most benefit, eat chocolate that has 70% cocoa or more. Moderation is key, as too much chocolate can have negative health risks.
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.
To reduce fat from your diet, take advantage of the low-fat cooking sprays that are available instead of cooking in oil or butter. The fat in butter and oil are a major source of weight gain. It can also adversely affect your cholesterol and blood pressure, leading to illness and heart problems.
A great nutrition tip is to customize your diet to your body type. Not everyone has the same body type. Some people are more sensitive to carbohydrates and will gain weight just by looking at them, while others can eat anything they want and will never gain any weight.
When working in a busy office, it is common for one or more of your colleges to have a tempting bowl of candy for anyone to eat. Bring your own snacks to work so you can stay strong. Fill individual snack bags with single servings of rice cakes or some almonds to keep you going.
Summer time is a wonderful time to enjoy all the fresh fruits the season has to offer. Because it is easy to get bored with eating the same thing every day, you need to learn how to mix things up. Next time you buy grapes, try putting a serving size in the freezer. Then you will have a healthy frozen treat to enjoy.
Whenever it is available, choose whole grain bread over white bread. You can use whole grain bread for homemade stuffing, dinner rolls, and bread for sandwiches. Whole grain bread is healthier than white bread. You can also try to use wild rice in place of white rice. White rice is as unhealthy for you as whole bread is.
Many people enjoy having cereal for breakfast. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it tastes good too. Cereal is okay to have as long as you choose one that is healthy. Look for one that has at least 7 grams of fiber per serving, and is low in sugar and sodium.
Eating spicy food is an excellent choice. Hot foods that are made with curry or chilies help to trigger endorphins. That is what makes people feel good and balanced. A release of these hormones will give you a little pick me up if you are feeling sad or depressed.
Buy lots of frozen vegetables for your freezer so that you always have some on hand. Frozen vegetables are easy to incorporate into meals including stir fries and side dishes. Freezing your nutritious meal is super-convenient, and you won’t have any spoiled food to worry about.
Instead of eating junk food when you get a craving, turn to rich, nutritious pumpkin seeds. These snacks are extremely delicious and can help curb your appetite as well. Change your diet and the snacks that you choose if you want to improve the way that you feel and look.
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.
By now, you have probably started to understand the complex systems by which our bodies ingest and use nutrients. You have seen how good nutrients lead to good health. These tips are just a beginning. Now it is up to you to shop with care, eat a balanced diet of quality foods, and embrace good eating habits, so you can achieve optimal health.
