12 December, 2013

Achieve a Healthy Lifestyle: Healthy Foods


Eating healthy is something we should all do, and do a lot. Many of us grew up eating other delectable foods, that are not good for us, but taste good, so we find them difficult to ignore all the time. For this reason, we must consciously choose foods that are delicious, but more importantly nutritious for ourselves. Nutritious food is the fuel for the body, it gives us the energy to get things done productivity, and at a high level. I heard this analogy once, and it's perfect for explaining why we should always (as much as we can) eat healthy food, and drink lot's of water. If you own a race horse, you want it to perform at its best. So what are you going to feed it, food that is healthy and nutritional , or junk?



To eat healthier foods, without being tempted by the less than nutritional options out there, is to make a list and stick to it. Do not buy something that isn't good for you. If your house isn't filled with unhealthy choices you won't resort to eating it. That way when you have a craving to snack, you won't have anything there to eat so you will either 1. not eat anything, or 2. eat a healthier alternative.

The basics of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with some nuts, and seeds are healthy foods that are great to have in your home to go with your meals, and as healthy snacks  in between meals. Some great snack ideas are peanut butter and celery, kale chips, carrots, cucumbers, oranges, and nuts. Drink lots of water. Work your way to getting 6-8 glasses of water every day to replenish what your body uses. When referring to water,  more is more.

A suggestion that isn't mentioned enough is to put less sugar and salt in your food. This is true for baked goods, and other food you prepare (not to mention restaurants, packaged foods, and even cereals). Most food in North America has too much salt for what the body needs. Too much sugar and salt cause the body to become acidic (which is when many of those diseases come around), the body needs to stay balanced to be healthy, and the human body should actually be slightly alkaline (the opposite of acidic). So no matter how good some of those foods might taste, do yourself a favor and ease off all the salt and sugar, your body will thank you.

A healthy lifestyle means a healthy way of living life. If you keep track of what you eat in a food journal, then it will become easier to stick to these suggestions, and you will be one step closer to achieving your goal, in a way that is sustainable for your body. So the next time you're getting food, consider whether it's going to give you the best fuel for your waking hours, or will it hinder it. Treat your body with the best food, like you would if you owned a race horse.

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