When it comes to food, we can't ignore the facts - or the science. You need a healthy diet for a healthy life.
Research shows a healthy diet could help or prevent a number of health problems, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. And that number keeps growing as researchers learn more about how nutrition affects your health.
What You Should Know
Adopting a disease-fighting diet is easier than you think. When you shop, choose fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread. Avoid foods high in sugar and fat.
Here are some tips for arming yourself against disease with good-for-you foods:
Follow the Food Guide Pyramid
This guide tells you what foods to include in your diet each day and in what portions. It shows you how to have a balanced diet by eating foods from all the basic food groups:
Think colour
When it comes to fruit and vegetables, eat lots of deep-coloured produce. Oranges and dark berries, like blueberries and cranberries, are especially rich in natural plant chemicals that can protect you against diseases like cancer and heart disease. Orange and dark green vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach are also rich in these plant chemicals.
Remember fibre
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables will give your body extra water and fibre, which will help keep your digestive tract clean and healthy. Beans, bran, whole-grain breads and brown rice, and high-fibre cereals are also good sources of fibre.
Make good bacteria your friend
Fermented foods like yogurt are especially good for you as you get older because they contain "good" bacteria that keep your digestive tract healthy. Check food labels for these bacteria.. The good bacteria in these foods also fight the bad bacteria that can enter your body through spoiled food and make you sick.
Eat fatty fish
Your body needs some fats to stay healthy, and the fats found in fish like salmon and tuna are good for your heart. Fish also provides a rich source of protein without the large amount of unhealthy fat you get from red meat.
Try soya
Eating about one to two ounces of soya protein daily can help lower cholesterol and unhealthy fat in your diet and protect you from heart disease. You can find many different soya products, which come from soyabeans, in your food store. The most popular are tofu, soya milk (in different flavours), soya burgers and hot dogs, soya ice cream, soya nut butter, and soya flour.
Drink plenty of water
To stay healthy, drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Pay special attention to drinking enough because your thirst decision dulls with age, and remember that if you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
Don't abstain if you don't have to
Beer and red wine, in moderation, are another rich source of plant chemicals. This means no more than one glass of beer or red wine a day for women, two for men.
Following a healthy diet, along with regular exercise, will prevent you from gaining weight, which is important for good health. Losing 10 percent of your body weight, for instance, could be enough to lower your cholesterol. Choose healthy foods for a longer and healthier life!
Don't lose out, watch this space for regular updates!
About The Author
Jon Wickham is the owner of Mabels?Maintaining Bygone Times, containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit & leisure & lifestyle.
expert residential cleaners Park Ridge ..You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively "stuck" with their... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
Our bodies need cholesterol. We use cholesterol to produce vitamin... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
I want to tell you about the most healthful and... Read More
You've no doubt heard the saying, "You are what you... Read More
Liquid vitamin mineralThe liquid vitamin mineral dietary supplement is a... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
I first learned of Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI) in... Read More
A beautiful smile and healthy mouth actually can come from... Read More
The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
High Fructose Corn SyrupBefore we get to high fructose corn... Read More
The dangers of processed foods and diets Why is that... Read More
The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More
So what's all the shake up about anyway?. To put... Read More
The confusion about eating healthy and dieting will now be... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More
What is your brain made ofOver 50% of your brain... Read More
I know you've heard this many times - "Drink more... Read More
Every person on earth has experienced pain at one time... Read More
Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
It's 5:30 p.m. and you're heading home after a long,... Read More
Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
Every day we are bombarded with information about food products... Read More
Liquid vitamin mineralThe liquid vitamin mineral dietary supplement is a... Read More
This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More
Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right... Read More
Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
If you are like most people, you are probably confused... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality... Read More
Nutrition |