Nutrition Month: Using Nutrition To Look And Feel Your Very Best

Proper nutrition is important for everyone. Without proper nutrition, people may not be able to properly function and perform day-to-day activities.

Most people do not realize that healthy carbs are generally good for you. While you may not need to eat in excess, low-carb diets can actually hinder you. Carbohydrates are needed by the body to produce energy, and they also keep you feeling full longer.

Plan ahead for days when you just don’t have the energy to cook. Take advantage of the times when you feel good enough to make a second tray of lasagna or a double batch of chili to freeze for later use.

A colorful plate is a healthy plate. Fill at least half of your dinner plate with red, orange, and dark green vegetables, and you are on your way to a well-balanced meal packed with vitamins and other nutrients. Add a side dish of fruit to your meal whenever possible.

Start your day off with easy-to-digest foods. Adding some healthy, dark, leafy greens to a smoothie can make all the difference. If you use plenty of fruits, such as strawberries or bananas, you probably will not even be able to taste the difference.

Be sure to eat a good, healthy breakfast every morning. Your body hasn’t had any fuel all night, so it will be ready for a good dose of energy first thing in the morning. Give it a breakfast with plenty of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to keep yourself going all day.

Keeping a food journal can help you meet your nutrition goals. Online food diaries can track the foods you eat, creating a record of your intake as well as showing the nutritional value of those foods. By keeping a record over time, you can tweak your diet as needed so you consume better nutrition.

You may have heard a lot lately about the cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts. Studies show they are a highly desirable addition to your diet. They may reduce toxins in the intestinal tract and could help prevent cancer—especially colon cancer. Their only downside is their high sulfur content, which can disagree with digestion.