It’s not easy to maintain a healthy diet. Like everything else worth doing, it takes work and constant vigilance to make sure we’re living our best lives. This is especially true when it comes to the food we put into our bodies. A vehicle can’t run without fuel. Here are the three main ingredients of a good diet.
Portion Control
Some people say you can never have too much of a good thing, but that isn’t true when it comes to what you eat. Too much anything can be bad. Obviously, too many sweets or snacks are not good for us, but too much of anything can have a negative effect on our bodies. The reverse is also true. You might be trying to be healthier by eating less, but you have to make sure you’re not eating fewer calories than you need.
The basic guidelines as determined by nutrition experts is to imagine an empty plate and to gradually fill it with the proper amounts of the correct foods, three times a day. You should have enough protein that is roughly the size of your smartphone, a portion of carbohydrates no larger than your hand making a fist, with the rest of the plate covered in vegetables. By following those portion sizes, you will make sure you’re getting enough food to fuel your body without overdoing it. Unfortunately, the only healthy amount of sugar or snacks is zero! If you’re going to indulge, indulge sensibly and don’t overdo it.
Food Choices
We already hinted at this, above, but you should be picking foods that have high nutritional value. Obviously, this means a lot of vegetables, specifically leafy greens. These vegetables have the highest nutritional value per kilogram than any other vegetable you can eat. Kale and spinach are the best sources of high amounts of the best dietary elements like iron, fiber, and vitamins.
Protein is very important, and if you have a plant-based diet, you might not be getting as much as your body needs. Lean meats like chicken and fish are the best sources for this protein but don’t overlook foods like beans and nuts, too.
Carbohydrates give you energy, but you don’t want to overdo it. Foods like pasta and bread are great in measured amounts (see portion sizes, above), but too much can contribute to weight gain or other complications.
Stay Hydrated
You might not immediately think of water as part of your diet, but it should be! Water is important to keep the fluids in your body flowing, to keep your brain and nervous system well lubricated, and to make sure your body is working at its maximum potential. If you find yourself feeling hungry, try drinking some water — a lot of what we think of as hunger pangs are actually your body telling you to get hydrated.
By following these simple guidelines, you can improve the quality and length of your life. If you’d like to explore more ways to keep yourself looking your best, contact Starks today.
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