These days it seems that everyone is trying to improve their diet, but with a few simple hints and tips it may not be as difficult as you may think. Study after study has shown that diet has a significant impact on health and well being and that improving diet can help us live longer and avoid many common diseases. It is becoming more and more apparent that eating well can not only make you feel better, but also live longer. But what is the best way to go about it? Eating a diet which is low in saturated fats, while being high in fiber, fruits and vegetables, is a good start. There are many different ideas on what is the best way to achieve a better diet, but there are a few fundamentals that most seem to agree on. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The new guidelines published by the federal government recommend that everyone eat at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, but unfortunately most people fall far short of this important goal. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of many important nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidants. In addition, many fruits and vegetables contain lots of dietary fiber, essential for a healthy body. Choose meats that are low in fat. Eating les fat can make a significant contribution to lowering your risk of contracting many serious illnesses. There are many low fat meats on the market, and the healthiness of meats can be further enhanced by asking the butcher to trim the fat when you buy your meat. Dont overlook the power of fish. Although most people have always known that fish was good for you, just how good is only now becoming apparent. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to have protective effects on the cardiovascular system. Dairy products can be high in fat but many are also available in lower fat alternatives. There are a number of excellent low fat cheeses, margarines, yogurts and other foods on the market. In addition, low fat and nonfat milk are excellent choices for healthy eating. Pay attention to the oil you use in cooking. The oils used in cooking can add significant amounts of fat and calories to the diet, so it is important to use those oils that contain healthier polyunsaturated fat instead of harmful saturated fats. Many animal based fats contain saturates and these can be more harmful to the heath than the unsaturated variety. Polyunsaturated fats are mainly derived from plant sources, and include soybean oil and olive oil. Replace processed foods with more healthy whole grains. Highly processed foods, such as white bread, cakes and other items are less healthful than whole grain products such as whole wheat bread. Whenever possible, replace these highly processed foods with less processed whole grain products. There is an increasing number of very acceptable wholegrain breads, cakes and pastries available so you dont have to sacrifice flavor for health. Knowing the current state of your health will help give you a goal to shoot for, as well as helping you know where to focus your energies for greatest benefit. If it has been awhile since your last physical you may want to schedule one. A thorough medical check-up by a qualified health professional can be the best way to know your current state for health and what is the best way forward too improving your diet. -------------------------------------------------- |
