While facts about nutrition are continually being updated as research reveals new findings, there are a number of basic facts that remain solid and true, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Most people can get all the nutrition they need for proper growth and good health by following a basic food pyramid and balancing healthy eating with fat, fiber and calorie information.
Identification
Eating guidelines, such as the updated U.S. Department of Agriculture food pyramid, provide all the nutrition information that should be incorporated into healthy eating patterns. A day's food consumption should include major food group servings of grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, seeds and nuts and low-fat dairy products. To maintain a healthy, nutritious diet, the food should be easily accessible and balanced by the proper amount of calories to avoid weight gain.
Function
Eating healthy does not have to be difficult, report doctors at the Cleveland Clinic. Small changes in everyday eating patterns can increase the nutritional value of meals and snacks. People grab what's on the shelves for snacking, so stocking up on low-fat, nutritional snack foods such as pre-cut vegetables, popcorn and high-fiber crackers can help eliminate unwanted fat and calories.
Considerations
Cooking processes often sabotage nutritious healthy eating. A meal that starts with fresh, canned or frozen, unprocessed ingredients should be cooked with the least amount of fat. Avoid using cream gravies and breading to cook meat and vegetables. Frying food adds fat and cholesterol and often negates the nutritional value of the food. Added butter, dressings and creams also add unwanted fat and calories.
Potential
Canned fruits and vegetables only sacrifice a small portion of the nutrients found in fresh foods, report Cleveland Clinic doctors. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables make good substitutes for fresh and can help to round out a balanced eating regimen. For some products, such as canned corn, tomatoes and carrots, consumers actually receive more nutrients in the form of phytochemicals used in the canning process. Fruit packed in its own juice is the best choice for canned fruits.
Misconceptions
There is no documentation to prove that organic foods provide any more nutrition than regularly grown foods. The main difference, report doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, is that there are fewer pesticides used in the growing process. Food purchased in health food stores is no more nutritious than food found in the average grocery store. Variety is the key to nutrition, not higher prices.
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