What we put into our bodies can often have a dramatic effect on our physical, mental, and emotional health. Good nutrition is vital to a happy and healthy life. So if you’re interested in improving your overall quality of life, but are looking for tips to jump-start the process, this article is for you!
Oprah Winfrey used the phrase “clean eating” in her book Oprah’s Kitchen. It’s helpful to think of clean eating as a good way to approach food. Simple preparations, lighter salad dressings, using less oils and fats (though still a bit for flavor!), and keeping things as fresh as possible – all these ideas contribute to her way of clean eating. Oprah loved her fried chicken – and presents a clean way of cooking it in her book. The bottom line is, if you have a choice between fancy and heavy vs. simple and fresh, go with the latter and your scale will thank you, no matter what food you’re eating.
You should write down everything you eat during the day. This helps make you accountable for what you have eaten. It also helps you to not “forget” about that latte you indulged in, or that candy bar you ate after lunch. Knowing what you have eaten already will help you make better decisions about what to eat at the next meal or snack time.
Put a lot of fiber in your diet. Foods with a lot of fiber in them such as nuts and whole-grains are great. Because the fiber takes a long time to break down in the body, you feel full for longer than with other foods. This way you won’t have cravings for junk food as often.
When considering nutrition for your child, be sure that you follow the same guidelines that you ask of them. This is important because you will have an extremely hard time trying to convince them why they need to do something when you, yourself do not. And no matter what you do, your child most likely will find out what you are doing just through their natural curiosity.
When considering a diet that provides an adequate nutrition level, be sure to start your morning out right with healthy foods such as fruits and whole grain muffins. This will ensure that you not only get all the nutrients you need, but also that you do not weigh yourself down early with unneeded calories. While deliciously tempting, avoid obviously bad foods such as doughnuts or danishes at all costs.
Eat oatmeal for breakfast. Foods that contain oats or a lot of grain can be very filling. Try eating foods like oatmeal for breakfast in the morning. This will make you fill fuller for a longer amount of time than a typical breakfast. You will be more likely to make it from breakfast to lunch without picking up a snack.
Do you want to eat a lot less red meat? If you are, then try simply using red meat as a condiment rather than the full meal. Use red meat to add a bit of flavor to grains and vegetables. Chinese and Mediterranean cultures do this. Studies have shown that, on average, they have fewer incidences of heart disease.
Making spaghetti sauce for your family is easy and with a few extra ingredients it can be more nutritious. The next time you make spaghetti sauce, try adding minced carrots or stirring in pureed baby-food carrots. These ingredients will enhance the flavor. Your family will never notice the extra veggies, but will benefit from the extra nutrition.
A good nutritional tip is to be consistent with the timing of when you serve your child meals. Ideally, you’ll want to serve them meals around the same time everyday. It’s also a good idea to limit fruit drinks and soda to only meals because they can easily fill up on them.
A great nutrition tip is to start serving seafood. Seafood is loaded with quality nutrients. It is a great source of lean protein, and it’s also a great source of essential fatty acids. Just head over to the grocery store and stock up on some fresh seafood today.
Breakfast should contain both protein and carbohydrates. That’s because your body is depleted of its carbohydrate stores in the morning and needs to be replenished with carbohydrates in order for your body to function at its optimal level. The combination of carbohydrate and protein sets the stage for good nutrition because they activate body systems to act as they should.
If you feel hungry before a meal, try drinking a glass of water before your meal is done. Drinking a glass of water will help prevent you from feeling so hungry, which will result in you not eating too much. When you are hungry before a meal, you will probably eat more than you really need. Drinking a glass of water can prevent this.
Eliminating sodas and soft drinks from your daily routine is one of the most important steps to eating a healthier diet. Most sodas are packed full of calories and contribute absolutely no nutritional value. When you’re thirsty, have a glass of water instead, or at least substitute real fruit juice for soda.
Pay attention to the color of your urine. A very bright yellow color to your urine can indicate that you’re consuming too many of any given vitamin. A dark color can indicate dehydration. If you pay attention to what you put into the toilet bowl, it can help you to keep your nutrients at their ideal levels.
Be sure that people know that you are trying to eat healthier. If someone asks if you want seconds, say no. Let your significant other know that you do not want chocolate and to try flowers instead. When deciding where to go if you are going to dine out, pick a place that will offer you great healthy options.
Make sure that the food that you put into your body is helping you to achieve your goal of having a happier, healthier life. In this article, we have given you some tips to jump-start your overall nutrition. Now it is up to you, use these tips to benefit you!
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