Eating Healthy Foods

Americans have long held the reputation for being notorious junk food junkies. Currently, many of our youth are overweight, and have numerous eating disorders. The epidemic proportions of fast food intake does not equate to healthy bodies, and far too often results in serious health issues for many individuals. Knowing what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat seems to be the great mystery. America is diet crazy; every day it seems someone is coming up with a new way to diet. However, diets (for the most part) are short term fixes. Many have been found to be harmful, and while others make sense, they require discipline and consistency in following the plan. Losing weight has never been the issue. Keeping weight off after losing it always seems to be the deal-breaker. Finding a workable, sensible, and realistic balance is the key to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle.

First, choose varieties of foods in quantities that are nutritious, and satisfying. Simple things like eating apples before you eat your main meal can reduce blood fats by as much as 20%. Selecting whole foods while avoiding processed food is imperative. A wholesome healthy diet will include a variety of vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains. Use low-fat dairy products, fish and shellfish, lean meats and poultry to compliment the grains, veggies and fruit. Herbs, spices and “healthy fats” contained in oils such as olive oil will make food more appealing to the pallet as well as healthier and more filling.

A healthy diet, or food pyramid as some call it, has a balanced composite of carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium, fiber, protein, fats and cholesterols. All that being said, some form of exercise is also an important element to maintaining a healthy body. Good food = good fuel = better bodies.