Health Fitness

A diet primer for healthy foods and vitamins

Very often, we want to eat healthier but we don’t know exactly how to start. Sometimes the food you think might be good may, in fact, not be right for you, and vice versa. This article looks at some simple dietary changes you can start making right away that will improve your overall health.

Whole Wheat Products

One of the simplest changes you can make is to start eating more whole grain foods instead of those made with processed white flour. Why is this? The whole grain variety has retained more nutrients and breaks down much more slowly in your body. This prevents sudden spikes in blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes in the long run.

heart healthy foods

Heart disease is one of the biggest health problems we face. Often caused by blood clots in the arteries, this can be relieved by eating some of the right foods. Try eating things like oatmeal, blueberries, and soy products like tofu. Even a daily glass of red wine or a bit of dark chocolate has been found to be good for the heart.

drink more water

We’ve often been told that we should drink 8 glasses of water a day, but how many of us really do? Drinking water is a great way to help you lose weight. Water helps the body metabolize stored fat. Water is also great for your skin – it helps keep it clean and looking healthy. Start drinking more water today!

eat more vegetables

Common vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and spinach contain carotenoids, which are thought to protect against cancer. Vegetables generally provide excellent health food and essential vitamins for your well-being. An easy way to increase your intake is to serve more than one vegetable with your meals.

Fruits are fine!

Like vegetables, fruit is an excellent source of vitamins and other nutrients. Eating fruit can help you lose weight and also prevent disease. Apples, bananas, and melons are particularly good for you. Try to introduce some of these fruits at meal times. Bananas go well with your cereal in the morning and fruit in general can be a great dessert at the end of your meals.

fish is good for you

Cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines contain omega-3 fats. These fats are essential but cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from food. Fish is also a good source of protein that is low in calories and saturated fat. Try a tuna sandwich the next time you have lunch!

save the meat

Red meat like beef is very popular in many of our diets and is high in protein and essential amino acids. However, it can contain a lot of saturated fat. This doesn’t mean we have to give up this summertime barbecue favorite. Just go for lean cuts and stay away from fatty ones like rib-eye.

There is much more that could be said on the subject of healthy foods and vitamins. But just by following these simple suggestions, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier diet. The many benefits you’ll see from increasing your intake of healthy foods and vitamins include weight management, more energy, and a lower risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.