Your interest in nutrition means that you are probably already a label reader as you traverse the supermarket aisles. You also hear about food and nutrition on the evening news. The knowledge you acquire about nutrition for optimal health can truly be life-changing. These tips will help you in your efforts to get the health and energy-giving nutrients that you need.
Nuts are an overlooked diet food that any dieter should take advantage of. High in protein and low in calories and saturated fats, nuts are an excellent replacement for meat when you need a protein boost. Almonds are the best, providing lots of protein without the burden of high amounts of fat.
If you are traveling to a high-altitude destination, don’t take medication that might mask the effects of altitude sickness. Instead, drink plenty of water to mitigate the symptoms. Masking them might mean you don’t realize the danger until it’s already too late; it’s better to just deal with that headache for a few hours instead.
It is tempting to blame the culture we live in for the fact that so many of us have poor nutrition habits. Yet the fact remains that we, as individuals, are ultimately in control of what goes into our mouths. In order to be in control, we must first be more aware of the societal forces at work that make it so easy for us to overeat.
Iodine is a mineral that should be a part of any healthy diet. Iodine is necessary for thyroid hormones, which control your energy metabolism, to be produced. It also works to prevent goiters. You can get iodine from seafood, dairy products, iodized salt, and bread which has been fortified with iodine.
Nightshades (eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers) have pros and cons nutritionally. Consider them carefully. They may not agree with your digestion. On the other hand, they may add real food value to your diet. The tomato has recently been cited as a great source of lycopene, which may help prevent cancer. Bell peppers contain vitamin C.
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.
Try to include fish in your meals at least two times a week. Fish is low in fat, and it is a great source of high quality protein. It is well-known as a “brain food” because of its high omega-3 content. Fish is also rich in calcium and other minerals.
Focus on eating the whole fruit instead of drinking the packaged juice. The whole fruit gives you more complete nutrition than just the juice. It includes the fiber, which is healthy for digestion, and the skin, which contains many important nutrients. Packaged juices usually do not include the fiber and skin, and therefore, do not provide all the benefits of the fruit.
Keep your portions reasonable to your body size. Try resisting the urge to get up, and fill up your plate with that second helping. Look online to see the recommended potions of food that you should be having for a variety of foods such as meat, dairy, and whole grains.
A great nutrition tip when you are trying to gain muscle is to make sure you’re eating enough calories. You need to determine how many calories it requires to maintain your weight and then you must eat a bit more than that, in order to gain muscle.
To make it easier to get the most out of your pregnancy nutrition, start with small changes, like trading those sugary cereals for healthy whole grain cereals. Whole grains provide good carbohydrates to give you the energy you need. Make sure you read the package to see if the words “whole grain” are listed.
Make sure you are getting plenty of vitamin D in your diet. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain, depression, cancer and a number of other illnesses. Foods rich in vitamin D include milk, cod liver oil, fish and liver. If none of these foods appeal to you, try taking a supplement to get your daily dose, instead.
Put out a colorful bowl of fresh fruit on your counter or dining room table. Not only is it pretty to look at and good for your home decor, but it encourages people to grab a healthy snack on the go, or when sitting at home. An apple a day really is a good decision.
Fuel your body. A lack of energy could be more to do with a lack of carbs than a lack of sleep. If you feel constantly drained of energy, try eating more vegetables, fruits and grains. In addition to being packed with vitamins and minerals, they are low in fat and an excellent source of complex carbohydrates.
Use stevia as your sweetener. Stevia is a plant that is naturally sweet. You can buy it in bulk, or in little packets to take with your for your coffee and iced tea. It is not a chemical like artificial sweeteners but it does not contain any calories like honey and sugar.
For the greatest level of success in increasing the nutritional value of your diet, don’t abandon all unhealthy foods at once. Trying to make a drastic change in your diet is sure to lead to failure. It will make you feel deprived and confused. Instead, focus on adding healthy foods in slowly, even just one at a time.
These are just a few ideas that can get you going in the right direction or that can give you some new ways to get the nutrients that you need. Don’t expect instant results – this is a long-term process. Ignoring the advice is like running a motor without ever changing the oil. Sure, you won’t see any effects for a long time, but little by little the motor is sustaining irreversible damage. Don’t let that happen to your body!