Lifestyle Nutrition Diet

A well balanced, nutrient-rich diet and lifestyle are beneficial for your long-term health benefits. By simply understanding how many calories you need to consume and expend to maintain a healthy weight depends on portion control and eating whole nutritious foods from every food group.

Physical Activity and Portion Control

Regular physical activity and portion control can help maintain your weight, keep wait off and increase your energy. Being active along with consuming a nutrient-dense diet will allow you to reap the benefits of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. By cutting down on unhealthy fats, cholesterol, sodium and sugar and controlling your portions by replacing these foods with whole, natural sources you are taking the steps in the right direction to a healthier, more nutritious diet.

Rainbow of Foods

Although many of us consume various foods each day, our bodies must be supplied with regular doses of nutrient-rich foods to be healthy. These foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats and low-fat dairy contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. Vegetables and beans contain fiber and phytochemicals that may cut the risk of constipation, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Moreover, beans, lentils and peas can replace eggs, poultry and other meats in a vast array of dishes. Eating a variety of these foods will keep your weight in control; fruits, vegetables and whole-grains are loaded with valuable fiber while lean proteins such as fish and poultry supply us with amino acids and long-lasting energy. Healthy fats such as nuts, seeds and avocado combined with other nutritious foods allow for proper absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.

Nutrient-Dense Foods

Today's food stores are overflowing with processed, packaged, simple carbohydrate foods such as white breads, pasta, cookies and pastries. By limiting these foods and replacing them with complex carbohydrates found in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains will allow you to reap essential fiber, vitamins and minerals. For instance, when consuming whole grains you will receive more vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese than in enriched white flours. These whole grains may also lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Many processed foods are loaded with sugar, unhealthy fats and sodium, not to mention low in nutrients. The outer perimeter of the food store is your key to food shopping; choosing whole, nutrient-rich foods will allow you to reap the pure benefits of Mother Nature's vitamins and minerals.