Tips for Healthy Eating

While we all know that daily physical activity is important for your health, balancing the food you eat with the right combination of physical activity will help maintain/improve your weight and reduce your chances of having common, but life threatening health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, a stroke, certain cancers and the most common kind of diabetes. There are numerous ways to reduce and/or eliminate some of those health problems. The risk of having high blood pressure can be reduced with a low salt, low sodium diet. The risk of heart disease, heart attacks and certain types of cancer can be reduced by simply selecting a diet consisting of foods with low fat (and saturated fat) and low cholesterol content. If your goal is to lose some excess fat, then a low fat diet is recommended. A low fat diet consists of about 1,300 to 1,600 calories per day. If your goal is to maintain your current weight, then the recommended daily calorie intake is about 2,800 to 3,000 calories per day.

Fiber

Another important aspect of maintaining a balanced meal is making sure that you get the daily intake of fiber needed. Some of the best places to look when searching to add fiber to your diet include foods such as: whole-wheat bread, whole grain cereals and other foods made with whole grains. A typical day should include servings of other fiber enriched items such as one slice of whole wheat bread, 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal, and ½ cup of cooked cereal, oatmeal, pasta or rice.

Meat, Poultry & Fish

There are multiple health benefits from eating some of your favorite food. In particular, Beef, Poultry and Fish all supply your body with a good source of protein, B-Vitamins, Iron & Zinc. Other foods that provide similar health benefits include beans, eggs and nuts. They share some of the same characteristics as meat items and they too are a good source of protein and most essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs. It is recommended that you take in approximately 2 to 3 servings of either Mean Poultry or Fish each day, which is equivalent of 5 to 7 ounces of cooked lean meat, fish or poultry per day. Broiling, roasting and grilling these meats are ideal for your body; but staying away from frying these meats is important to maintaining your weight.

Fruits

Another important aspect of maintaining a balanced meal is making sure that you get the daily intake of fiber needed. Some of the best places to look when searching to add fiber to your diet include foods such as: whole-wheat bread, whole grain cereals and other foods made with whole grains. A typical day should include servings of other fiber enriched items such as one slice of whole wheat bread, 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal, and ½ cup of cooked cereal, oatmeal, pasta or rice.

Vegetable

Allium Foods, most commonly represented by the garlic and the onion, are best known for their natural antibiotic properties and can help boost immunity, reduce inflammation and fight infection. These foods are most nutritious eaten raw in salads or healthy dips, but are also great for flavoring many cooked dishes.

Some Allium Foodsare :

  • Leeks
  • Onions
  • Shallot
  • Scalliots
  • Carrots
  • Leeks
  • Onions
  • Shallot
  • Scalliots
  • Carrots

Asparagus is an excellent source of potassium, fiber, vitamins A, C, K and B complex (especially B6). At just four calories a stalk, lightly steamed asparagus can help reduce weight, inflammation and depression.

Beans and Peas are very important when it comes to eating your vegetables because of the high levels of protein in comparison with other vegetables. No matter how they are prepared most beans also are fully packed with other essential nutrients such as fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Beans are typically added to soups, salads, pasta sauces, chilis, or can be eaten on their own.

Some of the more popular types of beans and peas include:

  • Peas
  • Lentils
  • Soybeans
  • Lima Beans
  • Kidney Beans
  • Garbanzo Beans
  • Other Legumes

Bell Peppers are great a source of potassium, manganese, fiber and vitamins A, B, C and K.

These sweet peppers are flavorful additions to salads and healthy stir-fries.

You can choose from a rainbow of colors, including:

  • Green Peppers
  • Yellow Peppers
  • Orange Peppers
  • Red Peppers

Carrots are popularly known to improve your eyesight with the high levels of carotenoids and vitamin A. However, most people do not know that carrots are also known for protecting you against certain types of cancer. Carrots are also a good source of vitamins B, C and K, fiber (when raw), potassium, magnesium and folate. Grate them into salads or eat raw baby carrots as a snack.

Cruciferous Vegetables are famously filled with anti-aging, cancer fighting, immune boosting phytonutrients. These vegetables are filled with Vitamins C and K, potassium, calcium, iron and folic acid.

Some of the most nutritious cruciferous vegetables include:

  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Green and Red Cabbage

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables are typically lightly steamed or used in soups, chilis, casseroles or stir-fries. Green and red lettuces are typically eaten in salads or found on healthy sandwiches. Some of the health benefits of dark green leafy vegetables include being high in iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, carotenoids and B, C, E and K vitamins.

Some of the more popular dark green leafy vegetables consist of:

  • kale
  • Spinach
  • Swiss Chard
  • Collard Greens
  • The Herb Parsley
  • Red and Green Lettuce
  • Mustard and Turnip Seeds

Sweet Potatoes and yams are very rich in carotenoids, vitamins A, B6, C, potassium, iron and fiber. They are delicious when baked and eaten plain (without butter) or used in soups, casseroles or stir-fries.

Summer and Winter Squash are rich in carotenoids, vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium and fiber and can be served alone or added to many dishes.

Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C and are very high in lycopene carotenoids. Tomatoes are most commonly found on good sandwiches, in salads and make special appearances in soups and pasta sacuces.

Key Recommendations thanks to our friends at: www.mypyramid.gov/guidelines/ExecSumm.pdf

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