Eating well doesn’t have to mean strict limitations or avoiding favorite foods. Adding more fruits, vegetables and quality protein to your meals helps ensure that you get the nutrients you need.
Trying to make smart choices when it comes to your diet can be overwhelming.
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1. Eat More Vegetables and Fruit
Adding more vegetables and fruit to your diet is a simple way to boost the flavour and nutritional value of meals. They are low in saturated fat and salt, as well as being a source of fibre and vitamins and minerals. They can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, eye and digestive problems, and some cancers. They also provide antioxidants and phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals that can protect against disease.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can improve your digestive health because they are a good source of dietary fibre, which helps to maintain normal bowel movements. They also provide a significant source of folate, vitamin C and potassium. A recent study found that eating a diet high in both fruits and vegetables, particularly cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, can lower your risk of developing cancer because they contain compounds that inhibit the growth of tumours.
To increase the amount of vegetables and fruit you eat, start by replacing some of the less healthy options in your diet with them. Try using vegetables in place of meat or chicken in sandwiches, adding more salad to meals and trying out different ways of serving and flavouring them. You could also add more fruit to smoothies or try using frozen and canned vegetables in recipes, like soups and curries. Choose unsweetened fruit and avoid juices, which contain a lot of sugar.
The benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables are clear, but what is less obvious is that these foods are often cheaper than many foods you might eat more regularly. It is worth taking the time to compare the price of healthier alternatives to junk food and you may be surprised at how affordable it is.
2. Go Lean on Meat
A diet that focuses on lean meat is important for health and can help you keep your weight in a healthy range. Many experts recommend limiting the amount of red and processed meats you eat because they contain high levels of saturated fat and other substances that can raise your risk for heart disease, cancer and obesity. Swapping these types of meat for lean options can help you meet your nutrition goals and improve your overall health.
Choose lean cuts of beef that have a small amount of visible fat and are labeled "Choice" or "Select." Avoid "Prime" cuts that contain more fat, which can be difficult to distinguish visually. Also, look for the phrase "lower-fat" on labels when choosing ground beef or other prepared meats.
Pork, chicken and other poultry are lean sources of protein that are also rich in B vitamins, selenium and zinc. Look for boneless skinless cuts of poultry and "lean" pork options, such as loin chops or tenderloins, which are usually low in fat.
Fish is another source of lean protein, including tuna, salmon, trout and whitefish. Try to consume fish at least twice a week to get the nutrients you need, but remember that eating too much seafood can lead to an imbalance in your body's omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
If you do eat red meat, make sure it is lean and limit your consumption to three ounces per day. Choose cuts of meat that are labeled as "lean" or "extra lean." For example, choose the boneless top loin steak, strip steak, club sirloin steak or N.Y. strip steak, which are all lower in fat than the more expensive prime cuts.
3. Eat More Whole Grains
Whole grains are the backbone of a healthy diet and provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and a host of other health benefits. Including more whole grains in your daily meals helps lower cholesterol, control blood sugar levels and manage weight, among other things. Studies also show that eating whole grains may help prevent heart disease and cancer and promote a healthier gut microbiome.
In their natural, unprocessed state, grains like wheat, oats, barley, quinoa and rice are rich in complex carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber and healthy fats. However, most grain products we consume are not actually whole grains, but refined grains that have had their bran and germ removed during milling. This process can strip many of the healthy nutrients found in whole grains, leaving only the endosperm. The endosperm is the part of the grain that's used to make bread, cereal and pasta.
When it comes to whole grains, it's important to read labels. Look for the 'whole grain' stamp on packages and be sure that whole grains appear near the top of the ingredients list. The USDA recommends that people eat at least half of their grains be whole grains, but even with this information on the label, it can be tricky to tell which products really contain more whole grain than others.
Despite the negative health claims made by some diet peddlers, Rossi says grains are an important part of a healthy food lifestyle. She notes that grains provide "energy for your body and brain." Plus, she points out that limiting carbs can cause energy slumps, and that it's important to balance whole and refined grains in order to achieve optimal nutrition.
4. Drink More Water
A healthy diet is not complete without adequate fluid intake. Water is the best beverage choice, as it is free of calories and low in sodium. It is also available at most restaurants and coffee shops. If plain water isn’t your cup of tea, try adding fruit or a water enhancer (available in tablet, liquid or powder form).
The recommended amount of daily fluids is eight glasses per day. To increase your fluid intake, drink more water and cut out sugary drinks. You can get a lot of water from foods too, especially dark green vegetables, tomatoes and strawberries.
Drink a glass of water when you wake up, even before you have your first bite of breakfast. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day and refill it often. Add a slice of lime or lemon for flavor, if needed. Opt for a plain coffee or tea over a sugary drink when eating out. If you are a frequent coffee shop customer, ask for no added sugars. If you want to enjoy a soda, choose a low-calorie option like seltzer or club soda.
In addition to hydrating the body, drinking more water can help manage hunger and cravings by providing a sense of fullness. In fact, a recent study showed that people who drank a cup of water before each meal consumed fewer calories overall.
Upping your fluid intake can also improve fat metabolism. According to a 2016 mini-review published in Frontiers in Nutrition, mild dehydration decreases lipolysis, the process by which the body burns fat for energy. In the study, participants who drank more water saw improvements in both fatty acid breakdown and lipolysis.
5. Eat More Healthy Fats
Many people are under the impression that limiting fat is the key to a healthy diet. However, it's the overall eating pattern that matters more when it comes to health outcomes. Healthy fats — mono and polyunsaturated fats — found in plant based foods like nuts, seeds and avocados are essential to good health. They can improve your mood, mental functioning and boost energy levels. They can also help manage your weight and lower your risk of heart disease and some cancers.
On the other hand, unhealthy saturated and trans fats are found in fatty meats, whole milk, butter and some snack foods. Eating too much of these fats can increase your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, which increases your risk of heart disease, high blood sugar and obesity.
When choosing healthy fats, look for unsaturated fats such as rapeseed oil, olive oil and avocados. They can help decrease your LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They can also help you feel full for longer.
Try to avoid consuming processed fats, such as those in fried foods or baked goods. Instead, choose whole foods containing healthy fats.
Having a well-balanced diet is one of the best ways to get all the nutrients you need. This means choosing a variety of foods from each food group daily and eating them in the recommended amounts. Avoiding unhealthy saturated and trans fats, added salt and sugars and excessive alcohol is important for your health. The nutrition label on food packages can help you identify the amount of calories and fat, as well as the number of servings per container. It can also tell you the percentage of calories from fat.
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