Eating healthy has its benefits

Eating healthy has its benefits

There are always so many guidelines and myths about healthy eating, what a healthy diet can do for your skin, your abs, your vision, and overall life in general. Some of what you hear is actually true, while others have yet to be proven. One of the most common misconceptions that stands out the most when it comes to healthy eating is that you have to eat foods that taste like cardboard and grass. On the contrary, there are some very difficult variables if you choose this route.

Instead of eating less, you should actually eat three full meals a day and at least two snacks. Eating so much throughout the day can't be healthy, can it? Yes, it can. Avoid donuts, coffee filled with cream and sugar and replace it with cereal (hot or cold) and a portion of fruit. For lunch, skip the pizza and try an open-faced sandwich (something high in protein like tuna, egg or chicken salad, etc.) and a side salad with a light dressing or vinegar. Let's face it, you could skip the chips for your snacks. Instead, grab a small handful of almonds, peanuts or celery and peanut butter, or indulge in a sweet treat in half a cookie. Yes – half. For dinner, fire up the grill and satiate your taste buds with a plate of grilled salmon and vegetables with a small side of rice pilaf. Not bad for a day full of food, right? If you eat healthy, it doesn't have to be miserable. You just need to make smart decisions about what you put in your mouth and try to limit your calories to an ideal total of 1,500 to 2,000 calories per day.

What if you're an athlete and need more nutrition to function?

If you choose a healthy diet and are an athlete or a person who exercises regularly, you need to provide your body with the vital nutrients and fluid it uses during your activity period (sweat). In addition to your healthy diet, it is recommended that everyone, active or not, take a vitamin supplement to ensure they are getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain proper body function. When answering the question, athletes typically need to replace more and need to consume a larger amount of calories, but not too much. Consult your doctor or nutritionist and eat responsibly.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that because you're an athlete or more active than the average person, you're free to eat whatever you want, whenever you want. You must continue to eat healthily and make informed choices in your diet to maintain your current weight and energy levels. If you eat too much or overindulge in foods high in fat and sugar, over time your body will hit rock bottom and become sluggish. Soon after, you may begin to notice weight gain. To avoid this, you should continue to eat healthily and maintain a balanced diet in conjunction with your continued exercise routine.

You try to eat healthy, but during your menstrual cycle you tend to feel annoyed. What can you do?

First, you need to ditch the comfort foods and chocolate and try to consume more vitamin D and calcium. Two foods that have a surprisingly high source of one or the other are eggs and broccoli. We are not saying eat these power foods together but try consuming them in higher quantities and it will surely keep you full and reduce your massive case of PMS. Broccoli has one of the highest forms of easily absorbed calcium, and eggs are one of nature's best sources of vitamin D. When you're focused on healthy eating, there are many foods that have superpowers that you can't understand, and Women's Health Magazine gave us an inside look at these foods:

1. Chickpeas and peppers = more energy

2. Avocados and spinach = better vision

3. Olive oil and tomatoes = smoother skin

4. Yogurt and ground flaxseed = better digestion

5. Oatmeal and apples = a healthier heart

6. Chicken and sweet potatoes = a stronger immune system

7. Balsamic vinegar and pasta = a slimmer midsection

8. Green tea and lemon juice = cancer protection

Prepare and stock your refrigerator and shelves with the right foods. You'll be glad you did.

You can eat healthy very well, but you'll still be hungry and sore after a workout. What can you do?

As hard as it is to eat healthy and maintain a decent diet, it's even harder to find the right mix of foods your body needs to function at its optimal level. Don't worry, its protein to the rescue. During a workout, muscles stretch, tear, and tear, and during your recovery time when you are not exercising, they repair themselves. The pain you feel after a workout is your body and muscles repairing themselves.

To curb hunger, treat yourself to a little more protein every day. Be sure to consult your doctor to make sure you are consuming the right amount of protein each day to match your exercise level. Eating healthy isn't easy, but once you incorporate the right foods into your daily diet, it should be easy sailing. Don't be afraid to satisfy your occasional sweet tooth with chocolates or cakes. Remember, if you want to eat healthy, the rule of thumb is to eat everything in moderation.