Five food tips for a healthy lifestyle
Exercise is an essential component in a healthy lifestyle, but just as important is the food you eat. If you've decided to make dietary changes in order to improve your overall health, or your doctor has done so, you may think that food will be boring from now on. By making a few changes, you can still enjoy eating while being healthy. Here are five food tips for a healthier lifestyle.
Select more whole grains. They are a great source of fiber and other nutrients, which help to regulate your blood pressure and keep you feeling full longer. When eating bread, choose types that are made entirely of whole grains, and when choosing cereal, try to make the switch to whole-grain varieties.
Eat more vegetables and fruits instead of sugary snack foods. Veggies and fruits offer many essential nutrients, and many also contain vitamins and minerals that prevent cardiovascular illness. Instead of reaching for fatty, sugary snacks, choose a piece of fruit or handful of vegetables instead. You'll boost your intake of necessary nutrients and stay feeling full for a lot longer.
Choose lean fish, poultry and meat. By choosing alternate meats, you can easily change your diet for the better. Choose leaner cuts of beef, skinless poultry and egg whites or substitutes. Fish is a great choice also- it's a more heart healthy alternative to fattier meats.
Swap unhealthy fats and cholesterol-containing additives for better alternatives. This is one of the most important changes you can make- limiting trans and saturated fats can lower your risk of heart disease and lower your blood pressure as well. Don't use shortening, butter or margarine when cooking, and add salsa or plain yogurt to your baked potatoes.
Choose low fat dairy. There is mounting evidence that adequate dairy intake can help to protect the heart. When choosing dairy for use in a recipe, choose a lower fat variety (such as skim milk. Low fat cheese can easily replace the full fat version; there are reduced fat yogurts, ice creams and other dairy desserts. By choosing these alternatives, you can lower your fat intake and protect the heart.