Sunday 26 August 2012

Tips And Advice For Improving Your Nutrition

Nutrition is the key to a healthier you. People generally think that nutrition takes a lot of effort and time. If you know where to look and what to change in your diet, you will have a much easier time in incorporating nutritious food into your diet. Use the tips below to help you determine what you should add or take away from your current diet.

Make an effort to cook your meals instead of eating out. When you are the one preparing your meals you have total control over each and every ingredient that goes into the preparation and you can avoid those that you know are not particularly good for you.

Dairy products are a great source of calcium and vitamin D, which help to build bone mass. Additionally, studies have shown that 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day, can help you lose weight, particularly around your midsection. Low-fat yogurt is highly versatile and can be used as a substitute for sour cream, mayonnaise and even cheese.

When considering nutrition, it is important that you incorporate foods that you love because there is no better way to get nutrition than when you are enjoying it. There are many ways that you can add extra nutritional benefits to foods you love simply by adding in or leaving out key ingredients. Searching for low fat recipes will provide many good results.

For best nutrition, be sure to choose fats wisely. Butter was once thought to be the enemy due to the high amount of saturated fat. However, margarine has been found to be high in trans fats, which are unhealthy for the heart. Best would be to limit your fats as much as possible; second best would be one of the "Smart Balance" non-trans-fat type margarine's, and third best would be to use real butter, but very sparingly.

Plan your snacks in advance. When you get a craving, you may be tempted to let your stomach lead you along. This can soon result in negative effects on your diet because you will be less likely to make good choices when you are hungry. Pack your snacks and stay on track.

In making decisions about nutrition, you should cast a wide net. If you take mind and spirit into consideration in other aspects of your life, you should also do so in regard to nutrition. One writer who does this is Sally Fallon in her book, "Nourishing Traditions".

A golden rule is to try not to eat anything that has more than four grams of sugar per serving. This will save a lot of calories and it is particularly helpful for you to follow this rule if you are unfortunate enough to be stricken with diabetes.

When ordering out, avoid unhealthy side dishes. These may seem like a delicious thing that may appear harmless, but many are loaded with calories and fat and grease, despite their tasty exteriors. Stick to healthier options like fruit, veggies and salads. Just make sure not to use unhealthy oils and fattening dressings.

As important as nutrition is for young people, it becomes even more important for women as they age past fifty. For example, women over 50 should make the effort to keep their weight under control. They need to make everything they eat count, because their metabolism is slower and cannot process food in the same way it once did.

One tip when thinking about nutrition is nutrient density. How rich in nutrients is the food you're eating - not by weight, but by calorie? You would be surprised to learn, for example, that when measured by CALORIES, a vegetable like broccoli is surprisingly high in protein - comparable, calorie for calorie, to the amount of protein found in red meats. But of course you can eat far more broccoli for the same amount of calories, which also provides fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid.
Instead of eating junk food when you get a craving, turn to rich, nutritious pumpkin seeds. These snacks are extremely delicious and can help curb your appetite as well. Change your diet and the snacks that you choose if you want to improve the way that you feel and look.

Be sure to keep a bottle of apple cider vinegar in your refrigerator. It is one of the most nutritious and affordable food additives you can have on hand. Enjoy a tablespoon with honey in a cup of hot water, in a glass of ice water, or mixed in salad dressing for a healthful, tasty and nutritious treat.
To teach your child good nutrition, get creative in the kitchen. Let them cut healthy food into fun shapes with some cookie cutters. Not only will this be great fun, they will also enjoy eating it more if they helped with the preparation. You can also make your own nutritious trail mix with your child by mixing together dried fruits and their favorite whole-grained, low-sugar cereal.

If you are trying to teach your child to forgo a diet of sweets and eat nutritiously instead, then be sure you are practicing what you preach! Like it or not, kids are going to model what they see their parents do. If you are eating a well-balanced diet full of fruits, veggies and healthy whole grains, then they will too. You set the example and they will reap the rewards for life!

Turn pizza from a very unhealthy choice into a more nutritional meal. A couple of little tricks are to load your pizza with vegetable toppings or if you are a meat lover, make sure to use lean meat like chicken or turkey.

Don't be afraid of the doctor, get a checkup yearly! Your health and wellness are the most important things in your life, so it's important to be proactive about them. Get an annual checkup and talk with your doctor about your current nutritional habits and whether there are things the doctor would recommend. Being proactive now can add years to your life!

The above tips are great guidelines to help you see where you can make improvement in your current diet. Nutrition doesn't take too much effort on your part, especially if you plan out what you will eat ahead of time. Don't let the word faze you out, it's just a word!

Read more:
  1. Healthy Fruits:  http://bit.ly/NmcuJc
  2. Fruits and Vegetables: http://www.infobarrel.com/Fruits_and_Vegetables