Eating the recommended three well-balanced meals daily may not always be easy. However, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for optimum health and energy. In addition, eating a healthier diet may reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems. Speak with your physician before making any changes to your diet.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When you rest at night your metabolism slows down. Eating breakfast in the first hour of waking up gives your metabolism the jump start needed to burn calories throughout the day. MayoClinic.com states that people who eat breakfast on a regular basis are prone to make healthier dieting choices. They also state that skipping breakfast may decrease your physical activity.
Caloric Intake
Calories are essential for the body to produce energy. In addition, circulation of your blood, breathing and maintaining functioning cells burn calories. The recommended daily caloric intake is determined by your age, gender, height and weight as well as your level of physical activities. According to the USDA, 2,000 calories is a general reference used on food labels.
Fat Intake
Coronary heart disease has been linked to diets high in saturated fats and trans fats. Saturated fats are known to raise your total blood cholesterol. Limiting the amount of foods containing saturated fats will help keep cholesterol levels normal. Foods containing saturated fats include eggs, meats and dairy products. Trans fats are common in fast foods and margarine. Use alternatives when cooking such as olive oil instead of shortening.
Supplements
Every cell in your body relies on vitamins and minerals for optimum daily functioning. A healthier diet rich with the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals may reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions. For instance, osteoporosis may develop later in life due to insufficient amounts of calcium in your diet. MayoClinic.com states that if you are not able to eat the healthy foods in your diet or if you suffer from certain health conditions, taking a daily dietary supplement may be beneficial.
Stay Active
Finding time to add physical activity into your schedule may be difficult. However, staying active along with eating healthy gives you energy and helps you feel great. In addition to helping you feel good, physical activities may prevent diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, obesity and diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of brisk walking per week.
