Paying attention to what you eat so that you can get the nutrients your body needs, may be easier said than done! There are so many choices. However, what is good for one person may not necessarily be true of the next. Do some research! Learn what is recommended, then make informed decisions. These tips are some of the things you will need to consider:
Try to fit as many fresh vegetables in your diet as possible. Instead of having mashed potatoes with dinner, have fresh asparagus or green beans. Fresh vegetables taste better than frozen or canned, and have more of the nutrients your body requires. They are also more filling, which means you are less likely to eat more fatty foods.
When choosing foods, think about nutrition. Green beans seem nutritious, for example, but broccoli is a knockout in terms of nutrients, so it is better to pick broccoli for dinner. Potatoes are yummy, of course, and quite innocent, when they’re not slathered in butter or cream, but if you want to pack a truly nutritive punch, swap them out for sweet potatoes from time to time. They’re jam-packed with vitamin A and C and fiber. It’s said that sweet potatoes (NOT sweet potato fries, sorry!) are so nutritious, that you could survive on them alone.
Always eat a balanced diet. The ideal diet for most people, consists of about 20 percent protein, 30 percent fat and between 50 and 55 percent carbohydrates. Most people are aware that too much fat is bad, however, too little can be bad, as well. The same goes for carbohydrates.
When shopping for food, try to stick to the perimeter; or around the edges of the store. This is usually where the fresh produce is, as well as the meats and dairy products. These are the things to stick to in a healthy diet. By sticking to the perimeter, you’ll only buy things that support a healthy diet.
Legumes are superstars of the nutritional world. They provide protein and help balance blood sugar. But they may seem dull. Just dress them up in a good recipe and they are superstars of taste also: lentils become a good veggie burger, chick peas become hummus, beans excel in Mexican dishes, and there is nothing better than a bowl of homemade pea soup on a cold winter day!
Make sure you don’t try to force food on your child. If your child says they’re not hungry, don’t try to force them to have a meal or a snack. Likewise, you don’t want to try and force or bribe your child into eating certain foods. All this will do it create anxiety and problems.
Try eating a variety of foods like nuts, low-fat dairy, fish, different types of fresh produce, and whole grains. When you eat a variety of foods, you will get the right nutrition for your body and you won’t need a lot of supplements.
Create a list of low-fat, low-carb, high-protein foods that you love and then work to create a small recipe book using your favorite ingredients. Eating the same thing over and over can be quite boring, so look for new and fresh ways to use those healthy ingredients to prepare meals you haven’t tried before.
Now that you have some more information, hopefully, this will help you make an informed decision! It is true; there are so many choices available. Paying attention to what you eat so that you get the proper nutrition is a good goal to have. Keep it up! Your body will benefit from your kind attention to detail.
