With the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases around us, it is very important to stay healthy, mainly by consuming nutritious foods. Good nutrition is all about health, energy, and well-being. Nutrition plays an important role in helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Here are 6 nutrition facts for a healthy lifestyle.
- Artificial Trans Fats Are Not Healthy
- Choose Real Food Than Supplements
- Added Sugar Affects Your Body Badly
- Omega-3 Fats Are Vital
- Drinking Plenty of Water Improves Overall Body Health
- Whole or Unprocessed Foods Are Healthier
Many reports highlight that trans fats are unhealthy and may increase the risk for heart diseases and other health issues. According to Medline Plus, our body does not need trans fat and we should limit trans fat to less than 1% of our daily calories. Food producers make liquid vegetable oils solid at room temperature for use in products such as margarine. Trans fats are found mainly in fried, fast-packaged, processed foods such as cakes, pie crust, doughnuts and more.
According to the Harvard Medical School, though dietary supplements help plug gaps in your diet, taking too much of these frequently can lead to dangerous, toxic levels. It is best to eat fresh food that is loaded with nutrients necessary for good health, such as magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A and C. However, many choose supplements because they aren’t getting enough nutrients from their diets. Whole foods offer diverse benefits over dietary supplements such as greater nutrition, essential fiber and other protective substances. Many whole foods contain chemicals that promote health, such as antioxidants – substances that slow down cell or tissue damage.
Added sugars are referred to as “empty calories”, mainly because these are completely devoid of nutrition and can be the leading cause of many serious health conditions including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. It contains no nutrition, just sugar. Consuming products high in added sugar may result in nutrient deficiencies. Increased intake of fructose content in added sugar has been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, high cholesterol over time and more.
Make foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids a part of your food habits, as it is really important for the proper functioning of the human body. Main types of omega-3 fats are – alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are necessary for our body for their anti-inflammatory properties. Some best sources of omega-3s and 6s are – pasture raised eggs, salmon, grass-fed meat, poultry, whole-grain breads and nuts.
There are many benefits you can enjoy by drinking enough water and staying hydrated such as – boost the number of calories you burn, increase metabolism, maximize physical performance, improve mood, memory, and brain performance, prevent and treat headaches, reduce constipation, prevent initial formation of kidney stones, and aid weight loss. It has been proven that drinking water half an hour before meals is effective in losing weight, as you feel fuller and eat only fewer calories.
Experts opine that instead of pre-packaged or pre-prepared foods, it is far better to eat a diet full of whole or unprocessed foods such as whole fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. Some of those super foods include avocados, sweet potatoes, bananas, broccoli, onions, asparagus and tomatoes. Always opt for natural foods than packaged ones. Whole fruits and vegetables are not only healthy, but also contain natural disease-fighting and health-boosting properties.
Also consider choosing a rainbow of colorful foods such as diverse types of fruits and vegetables. Natural pigments that give foods their color are nutritious and help reduce the risk of cancer and chronic diseases like heart disease. For optimal health, consider combining good nutrition with other healthy habits such as regular exercise, good sleep, plenty of water etc.
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