Feed Your Body Better

It's easy to make smart choices. Unfortunately, it's a little tougher to follow through. The trick to feeding your body begins with personal commitment and the ability to work hard at keeping your diet in check.

It's so easy to stop for take-out or simply crack open a jumbo-size bag of chips, and we all do it from time to time. The trouble starts when these poor diet choices become habits. Take the time to consider what you're putting into your body, and you'll think twice before you pull into the drive-thru.

Vegetables

Mother Earth has already given us the foundation of a healthy diet in the form of vegetables and greens. Choosing an assortment of vegetables every day can be an easy way to get the 2 cups you need. Mix up your choices to ensure that you're getting the proper assortment of nutrients. Leafy dark greens, like spinach and broccoli, provide different nutrients than lighter greens and root vegetables. Sweet potatoes and yams can be baked or boiled for a tasty alternative to everyday white spuds. A plate of carrot and celery sticks with veggie dip will easily take the place of chips, and counts toward your daily vegetable requirements. When you just can't say "no" to a burger for dinner, try a side salad instead of fries. There are many ways to substitute nutritious vegetables for other snack and side dishes alternatives.

Grains

Our food guide suggests that we eat six ounces of grains on a daily basis. The average slice of bread contains just one ounce. Cereal is an obvious choice, with about one ounce of grain per cup. If you want to boost your grain intake and eat less, choose whole grain products. Rice, pasta and crackers are also healthy grain choices to incorporate into your daily diet.

Pass the Fruit!

Eating well is easy when you keep fresh fruit on hand. You should try to eat two cups of fruit per day, or the equivalent of one apple and one banana. Smaller fruits, like grapes, are delicious when tossed into a salad. You can slice some berries or a ripe banana over your cereal in the morning. Fresh fruit is best, but don't forget that dried, canned and frozen varieties will also help to keep your good health in check. Drinking one glass of fruit juice can also count toward your daily intake. Juices are packed with sugar, however, so drink them in moderation.

Dairy

Calcium is necessary for healthy teeth and bones, and is a vital requirement at any age. Children from two to eight years of age should have a calcium intake totaling about two cups of milk. Older children and adults need three cups. When choosing dairy products including milk, cheese and yogurt, go for the low-fat options. If you are lactose intolerant, there are lactose-free products on the market, as well as a variety of calcium-rich fortified foods and beverages.

Meat, Tofu, Nuts, and Beans

Protein is essential to every good diet, and meat is a natural choice. There are many other natural sources, however, and vegetarians lead protein-rich lives by choosing these alternatives. There is a wide variety of beans and peas that pack a protein punch in all sorts of recipes. Getting your five ounces of protein per day can also be achieved by eating fish and nuts. When you do choose meat, try to trim away any excess fat, and grill or bake your meat to avoid fatty greases.

Easy on the Fat

Certain fats are necessary for the body to function normally, but for the most part it's smart to limit fats wherever possible. Choosing healthy foods is only part of the equation. You also need to be smart in your preparation methods. Instead of loading your skillet with butter, margarine, lard or shortening, saut your food in a little broth, or just use a non-stick pan. Seasonings and fruit juices can add flavor to your food without loading it up with fat. Foods that are high in fat will raise your weight and your cholesterol, so avoid them whenever you can.

Smart eating begins with smart shopping. Many processed foods are loaded with fat, salt and additives. Try to stay within the fresh produce and meat aisles at your supermarket. When you do purchase pre-packaged foods, check the ingredient labels and nutrition facts before you buy. This will help to reduce your intake of saturated fats, trans fats and sodium.

Once you begin to make healthier food choices, you'll begin to notice a change in all aspects of your lifestyle. Fueling your body with a nutrient-charged diet will give you energy and a brighter overall outlook. Those evenings of lying on the couch after consuming an eight-slice pizza will be behind you, as you begin to enjoy evening strolls after your healthy dinners. It's not always easy to choose healthy foods, but your efforts will be rewarded with a lifetime of good health.

Article Source: http://www.articles.ask-me-about.com

Author Ambrose Hutson is a regular contributor to a variety of online magazines, on health news and heart health topics.