As many active and healthy people know, becoming healthy and remaining that way requires a strong nutritional foundation. When one works out they breakdown their muscles so that the muscle can grow back stronger than before, hence the term "working out", but in order for those muscles to grow properly they will need the proper nutrients.
As children we learned about the food pyramid and how we should eat, but our society rarely follows suit. Generally speaking, a healthy lifestyle begins with healthy food choices. The food pyramid suggests that adults should consume at least 6 oz of grain, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 3 cups of fruits, 3 cups of dairy and 5.5 oz of meat. Now this may seem overwhelming at first, but it is actually quite reachable. All these foods come in different forms; for example the grain requirement can be reached with a bowl of whole grain wheat cereal such as Kellogg’s "Total", and a few varied fruits and vegetables taken as snacks in between meals will easily fulfill the fruit and vegetable requirement. Dairy can come in the form of low fat to fat free milk as well as various cheeses. The meat requirement is pretty self explanatory, but one should stay away from consuming too much red meat such as beef and pork as these can cause heart and digestive problems. Alternatively, one can eat poultry and fish for their many health and digestive properties.
As far as sweets, fats, and oils are concerned they should be kept at a minimum but fats and oils do have their benefits and are also found in many different foods. Fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids and oils that can be extremely beneficial for the heart, skin, and other organs. Although it may seem contradictory, it is also recommended that one breaks the eventual monotony of healthy eating with small amounts of junk foods. Kept in check and at a minimum these foods will make it easier to maintain healthy eating habits.
Maintaining a fit and active living style may seem challenging, and in some ways it is, but who said anything beneficial would be easy? Eating right is the first step to being healthy as the right foods will provide the building blocks for a strong and healthy body.
As children we learned about the food pyramid and how we should eat, but our society rarely follows suit. Generally speaking, a healthy lifestyle begins with healthy food choices. The food pyramid suggests that adults should consume at least 6 oz of grain, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 3 cups of fruits, 3 cups of dairy and 5.5 oz of meat. Now this may seem overwhelming at first, but it is actually quite reachable. All these foods come in different forms; for example the grain requirement can be reached with a bowl of whole grain wheat cereal such as Kellogg’s "Total", and a few varied fruits and vegetables taken as snacks in between meals will easily fulfill the fruit and vegetable requirement. Dairy can come in the form of low fat to fat free milk as well as various cheeses. The meat requirement is pretty self explanatory, but one should stay away from consuming too much red meat such as beef and pork as these can cause heart and digestive problems. Alternatively, one can eat poultry and fish for their many health and digestive properties.
As far as sweets, fats, and oils are concerned they should be kept at a minimum but fats and oils do have their benefits and are also found in many different foods. Fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids and oils that can be extremely beneficial for the heart, skin, and other organs. Although it may seem contradictory, it is also recommended that one breaks the eventual monotony of healthy eating with small amounts of junk foods. Kept in check and at a minimum these foods will make it easier to maintain healthy eating habits.
Maintaining a fit and active living style may seem challenging, and in some ways it is, but who said anything beneficial would be easy? Eating right is the first step to being healthy as the right foods will provide the building blocks for a strong and healthy body.
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