Healthy Eating for Life
Most of us are what we eat, and unfortunately poor food choices are a direct reflection of that. We live in a rush, hurry society that doesn’t allow for us to eat nutritional foods on a daily basis, and instead we opt for the fast food places available at every corner. Eventually this cycle catches up with us, and we become tired, grouchy, moody, and left hungering for a good home cooked meal that offers a bit of nutritional substance to it. Good food, and foods that are good for us aren’t that hard to locate, and it’s even easier to prepare. Healthy food is only limited by our imagination, and fortunately it is not time consuming to prepare.
The Benefits of Including Fiber in Your Diet
A daily amount of fiber may reduce the risk of developing diseases like colon cancer, rectal cancer, heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, diverticulosis, and constipation which is good news for anybody that suffers from an irritable colon. Fiber is a great form of dieting as it aids in filling you up faster, and helping dieters to lower their food consumption.
Fiber in Fruits & Vegetables
Most Americans eat about half the fiber they need each day, and when eaten regularly as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, soluble fiber has been shown to help lower blood cholesterol which reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Fruits like raspberries, blackberries, apples, grapefruit, oranges, bananas, blueberries, cherries, and kiwi are all good sources of dietary fiber, and vegetables like broccoli, leafy green vegetables, corn, potatoes, green beans, kidney beans, and artichokes are chock full of essential fiber, not to mention that they are colorful, delicious, good for you, and dress up any dish.
How Much Fruit & Vegetables Do You Need To Eat Daily?
Three to five servings per day is recommended for healthy eating, and this should include one half cup of fruit, and one cup of vegetables per serving.
Omega-3 Fat
Foods high in Omega-3 fat are actually good for you, and the best way to get this type of fat is from fish. Salmon is one of the fish with the highest content of this type of fat, followed by sardines, tuna, shrimp, and crab. Stress is a big factor in our lives, which is often linked to hypertension. Studies have shown that Omega-3 fats reduce our stress levels, and aids in the fight against fatigue, disease, and gastrointestinal ailments.
Foods with Antioxidants are Key to Good Health
Antioxidants are found in many foods, and the most common forms are vitamins C & E, Beta Carotene, and Selenium. We need antioxidants to protect our bodies from free radicals that cause oxidation, and cell damage which can lead to clogged arteries, brain & eye degeneration, heart disease, and diabetes.
Foods with vitamin C: citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and potatoes.
Foods with vitamin E: wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil.
Foods with Beta Carotene: carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots.
Foods with Selenium: fish, crab, lobster, shrimp, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken and garlic.
You Need Enzymes
Raw foods and fresh, natural fruit & vegetable juices are key when including enzymes into your daily diet. The body needs enzymes for efficient digestion. Processed, cooked, and refined foods do not contain natural enzymes so it is essential to your health to eat raw fruits and vegetables. Your energy level and digestive tract depend on what you feed your body, and without a diet rich with enzymes, your body can burn out, and proper digestion can become a problem, aiding in gastrointestinal diseases.
Legumes & Beans
Beans are in the vegetable group, and they are included into the Legume family. The benefits from eating beans by far outweigh the downside to them, which is primarily ‘flatulence’. Peas, lentils, kidney, black, green, lima, butter, garbanzo, and pinto beans are packed full of vitamin B, calcium, iron, boron, zinc, vitamin K, folic acid, complex, carbohydrates, and they are great for the digestive system. They have also been found to reduce toxins in the body. Studies have also shown that they are powerful tools when it comes to eliminating many types of cancer.
Whole Grains
Let us first dispel the myth that grains are fattening. They are only fattening when you add creamy sauces, butter, oils, and other rich ingredients to them. The USDA stands by grains, and their importance in healthy eating. Whole grains, which include wheat, rice, corn, barley, oats, and millet are beneficial to any diet as long as they are not the refined version. They are known for preventing many types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. They are also filling, and packed with fiber and minerals.
