Healthy Food Choices

Eating healthy is something we all would like to do,
although it can be hard.  In order to eat healthy, you
must first make the right food choices.  Eating healthy
is all about what you eat, which makes the choices very
crucial to your results.



Grains
You should consume 6 ounces of grains per day.  To do this,
you can eat 3 ounces of whole grain cereals, breads, rice,
crackers, or pasta.  You can get an ounce of grains in
a single slice of bread, or 1 cut of cereal.

Vegetables
These should be varied, as you should eat 2 1/2 cups of
them each day.  You should start eating more of the dark
vegetables, such as broccili and spinach.  Carrots and
sweet potatoes are good as well.  You should also eat
more dry beans such as peas, pinto beans, and even kidney
beans.

Fruits
Fruits are very important.  You should try to eat 2 cups
of them each day.  Focus on eating a variety, such as
fresh, frozen, canned, or even dried fruit.  You can
drink fruit juices as well, although you should use
moderation when doing so.

Milk
Milk is your calcium rich friend.  For adults, 3 cups
is the ideal goal.  For kids 2 - 8, 2 cups is where you
want to be.  When choosing milk products or yogurt, you
should go for fat-free or low-fat.  Those of you who
don't like milk or can't have it, should go for lactose
free products or other sources of calcium such as fortified
foods and beverages.

Meat and beans
Eating 5 ounces a day is the ideal goal, as you should go
lean with your protein.  When eating meat, always bake it,
grill it, or broil it, as this will prevent grease from
adding to the equation.  You should vary your protein
as well, with more fish, beans, peas, and nuts.

When cooking your food, you should also limit solid fats
such as butter, margarine, shortening, and lard.  These
foods may add flavor to your dishes, although they can
also help raise your cholesterol as well.  Therefore, you
should try to add these foods and any foods that happen
to contain them.

To help keep your saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium low,
you can check the nutrition facts label.  This label can
be found on the food package and will tell you all the
information you need to know about the food item.

By picking your foods wisely and watching what you eat,
you'll help control your lifestyle.  Exercise is great as
well, as it goes along perfect with a healthy eating
lifestyle.  No matter what your age may be, eating healthy
will help you keep your active lifestyle for years and
years - even help you and your health in the long run
as well.

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Tips For Healthy Holiday Eating

 Tips For Healthy Holiday Eating

When the holidays arrive, many people forget all
about their diets and healthy eating.  Weight
gains of 7 - 10 pounds are common between
Halloween and Christmas.  To make the holidays
easier, these tips will help you with healthy
eating through the season and not gaining weight.

Most traditional foods can be made low fat. 
Turkey is very lean without the skin, and gravy
can be made without any fat.  Potatoes that are
served without butter can be very healthy.  The
beloved pumpkin pie is nutritious, although it
can be made into a fatty dessert with the adding
of whipped cream.

Even though the holidays are in, don't forget
about the exercise.  Keeping weight off during
the holiday season is burning off the extra
calories.  You should plan a walk after meals,
park farther from stores when you shop, and
take a few walks around the mall before you
begin shopping.

During holiday parties and at family dinners,
feel free to sample foods although you shouldn't
splurge.  Decide on what you plan to eat in
advance, then stick to your plan.  Eat plenty
of vegetables, fruit, low fat dressings, and
slices of lean meats.  Before you go to a party,
eat a small snack to help curb your appetite.

If at all possible, avoid alcohol.  Having too
many drinks can cripple your will power, and
also add excess calories to your diet.  In the
place of alcohol, drink water with lemon. Water
can help to limit your appetite and keep you
from binging.  Also make sure to avoid eggnog,
as each glass can have up to 300 calories.

Be flexible with your healthy eating, as one bad
meal won't ruin your diet.  Try to balance your
calories over a few days and don't just look at
one meal or day.

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Tips For Healthy Eating

Tips For Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is a way of balancing the food you
eat to keep your body in great health.  With healthy
eating, you'll have energy all day, get the vitamins
and minerals you need, stay strong for activities
you enjoy, and maintain a healthy weight.


Below, you'll find tips designed to help you with
healthy eating.


1.  Don't skip any meals
Eating 3 meals with snacks in between is the ideal
way to maintain both energy and a healthy weight.
When you skip meals and get hungry, you're more
than likely to choose foods that aren't very good
for you.

If you are eating away from home, take food with
you or know where you can buy healthy food from.

2.  Learn about how to prepare foods
Instead of deep frying, try grilling, stir frying,
microwaving, baking, and even boiling.  You should
also try fresh or even dried herbs and spices to
add flavor to your food.  Before you eat any type
of meat, be sure to trim the fat and skin off of
it.

3.  Avoid a lot of sugar
Drinks that contain sugar are a major source of
empty energy.  What this means, is that the drinks
contain a lot of energy that your body may not
need, and it doesn't contain any vitamins or
minerals.  If you plan to drink sugary drinks,
don't go overboard - limit yourself to 1 a day.

4.  Avoid thinking about diets
There are no good food nor any bad foods.  All
food can be a part of a healthy diet, when eaten
in moderation.  You don't need to buy any low
carb, fat free, or even diet foods, as these foods
normally have lots of other added ingredients
to replaces the carbohydrates or fat.

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The Healthiest Foods You Can Get

The following is a list of the healthiest foods that
you can get.  This will help you get an idea as
to what foods are the best for your body.

Fruits

Apricots
Apricots contain Beta-carotene which helps to
prevent radical damage and also helps to protect
the eyes.  A single apricot contains 17 calories,
0 fat, and one gram of fiber.  You can eat them
dried or soft.

Mango
A medium sized mango packs 57 MG of vitamin C,
which is nearly your entire daily dose.  This
antioxidant will help prevent arthritis and also
boost your immune system. 

Cantaloupe
Cantaloupes contain 117 GG of vitamin C, which is
almost twice the recommended dose.  Half a melon
contains 853 MG of potassium, which is nearly
twice as much as a banana, which helps to lower
blood pressure.  Half a melon contains 97 calories,
1 gram of fat, and 2 grams of fiber.

Tomato
A tomato can help cut the risk of bladder, stomach,
and colon cancers in half if you eat one daily.
A tomaton contains 26 calories, 0 fat, and only
1 gram of fiber.

Vegetables

Onions
An onion can help to protect against cancer.  A
cup of onions offers 61 calories, 0 fat, and 3
grams of fiber.

Broccoli
Broccoli can help protect against breast cancer,
and it also contains a lot of vitamin C and beta-
carotene.  One cup of chopped broccoli contains
25 calories, 0 fat, and 3 grams of fiber.

Spinach
Spinach contains carotenoids that can help fend
off macular degeneration, which is a major cause
of blindness in older people.  One cup contains
7 calories, 0 fat, and 1 gram of fiber.

Grains, beans, and nuts

Peanuts
Peanuts and other nuts can lower your risk of
heart disease by 20 percent.  One ounce contains
166 calories, 14 grams of fat, and over 2 grams of
fiber. 

Pinto beans
A half cut of pinto beans offers more than 25
percent of your daily folate requirement, which
protects you against heart disease.  Half a cup
contains 103 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 6 grams
of fiber.

Skim milk
Skim milk offers vitamin B2, which is important for
good vision and along with Vitamin A could improve
allergies.  You also get calcium and vitamin D as
well.  One cup contains 86 calories, o fat, and 0
fiber.

Seafood

Salmon
All cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and
tuna are excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids,
which help to reduce the risk of cardiac disease.
A 3 ounce portion of salmon contains 127 calories,
4 grams of fat, and 0 fiber.

Crab
Crab is a great source of vitamin B12 and immunity
boosting zinc.  A 3 ounce serving of crab offers
84 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 0 fiber.

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Nutrition For The Elderly

Healthy eating and nutrition for the elderly is
greatly impacted by several factors, one of them
being a change in body composition.  During the
later years in life, the body will lose bone and
muscle and gain fat because the hormones aren't
very active anymore.

There are many factors which hinder an elderly
person's health.  The information below will help
you to lead a healthy life - no matter how old you
may be.

Water
Water in the body decreases with age, so many older
folks will become dehydrated very easily.  Sometimes
they won't feel thirsty, while other times it's
too much work to pour a glass a water.  With this
in mind, it's recommended that they drink at least
1 ounce of water for every 2.2 pounds of weight.

Protein
At this stage in life, protein is very important.
Protein is needed to support a healthy immune
system and prevent the wasting of muscle.  Since
energy needs are less, older folks should eat high
quality protein such as eggs, lean meats, poulty,
and fish.

Carbs and fiber
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for
the entire body.  You can find carbs in bread,
cereals, pasta, and other grain products.  A diet
that's high in fiber and water will help to
prevent constipation as well.

Fat
Fat intake for the elderly should be limited, not
eliminated.  You can limit fat by choosing lean meats,
low fat dairy products, and food preperation
methods that don't include frying. 

Iron
For the elderly, iron deficiency can be seen with
those who aren't eating much.  Good sources for
iron include lean red meats or breakfast cereals.

Zinc
Zinc intake is normally with the elderly, and to
make matters worse, it's not absorbed very well
either.  Meat, poultry, and fish should be a part
of your diet to help you meet the requirements for
zinc.

Calcium
Calcium is one ingredient that most elderly folks
simply aren't getting enough of.  Most believe
that milk upsets their stomach, and therefore they
will avoid it.  They should be getting around 1,500
mg of calcium a day, and nonfat powdered milk can
be used in recipes as a substitute for milk.  Other
foods such as yogurt, low fat cheese, and broccoli
can also help you meet the requirements for calcium.

Vitamin B12
In order to absorb the benefits of B12, the intrinsic
facotr must be produced by the stomach.  Most elderly
people suffer from a deficiency in B12 because they
have a condition known as atrophic gastritis.  This
condition causes inflammation of the stomach,
bacterial overgrowth, and the intrinsic factor.
Without the intrinsic factor, this vitamin can be
absorbed.

Each one of the above nutrients are needed to keep
an aged body in good health.  Elderly individuals
should try to stay active and strive for a well
balanced diet.  Even though the aged body isn't the
same as it used to be, proper care and the right
nutrients can help the elderly enjoy a healthy and
long life.

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Making Healthy Food Choices

Vegetables, fruits, and grains are normally low in
fat and have no cholesterol.  Most are great sources
of dietary fiber, complex carbs, and vitamins. 
The American Heart Association recommends that you
eat foods that are high in complex carbs and fiber.

Below are some tips for making healthy food choices:

-  Coconut is high in saturated fat, while olives
are high in monounsaturated fats and calories.  You
should use these items sparingly to avoid getting
too many calories from fat.

-  When vegetable grains are cooked, saturated fat
or cholesterol is often added.  For example, egg
yolks may be added to bread or even pasta.

-  Processed, canned, or preserved vegetables may
also contain added sodium.  With some people, too
much sodium (salt) may lead to high blood pressure.
There are some food companies that are actually
canning vegetables with less salt.  You can look
for these in the market area or choose fresh and
even frozen vegetables.

-  Nuts and seeds tend to be high in calories and
fat, although a majority of the fat is polyunsaturated
or monounsaturated.  There are some varieties,
macadamie nuts for example, that are also high in
saturated fat.

Foods that are high in soluble fiber are a great
choice as well.  Examples include oat bran,
oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley, and
even apple pulp. 

Whenever you are looking for healthy food choices,
always make sure you read the nutrition label
or information about the food.  You can then
determine what the food contains and how healthy
it truly is for your body.  By taking your time
and making your healthy food choices wisely,
you'll have a lifetime to enjoy the foods that
will take care of you.

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Kids Eating Healthy

Fast food is a big part of modern life these days,
making it very hard to teach a child how he or she
should eat healthy.  The cheapest and easiest foods
are those that are normally the least healthy.  If
you give your child the choice between healthy food
and junk food, you normally won't like the results.

Even though it isn't possible to get a child to like
all healthy foods, there are some ways to get your
child to try and hopefully like at least a few of
them.  You can be as creative as you like, as getting
kids to eat healthy foods can be a little harder than
you may think.

-  Sneak the healthy food in.  Even though it would
be great if your kid understood the importance of
fruits and vegetables, this isn't always possible.
If you can't get them to eat good food willingly,
there are ways to sneak them in, such as making
muffins out of bananas or apples, or pizza with
spinach on it.

-  Call fruits and vegetables by funny names.  You
can refer to broccoli as "trees", making them
more fun to eat.  There are many different names
you can call fruits and vegetables, even making up
your own if you prefer.  Most kids prefer to eat
foods that sound fun.

-  Make the foods taste better. Ranch dressing is
great for broccoli, while peanut butter is a great
topping for celery.  There are several combinations
for vegetables that can make them taste much
better.  You can let your child pick a topping
for a vegetable, even if it's something you wouldn't
normally like yourself.

-  Dress the vegetables up.  Just as much as calling
them names help kids eat healthy foods, making them
look funny also helps.  You can do this by making
funny designs on the plate, or setting them up to
look like people.  Although some parents don't like
their kids playing with their food, sometimes it
helps to get them to eat healthier.

There are several ways to make your kids eat
healthier, but to make them enjoy it also has to
be fun as well.  This isn't always an easy task,
because kids normally don't like foods that are
good for them.  It can however, be done with a bit
of creativity.  Hopefully, doing this will help
your child develop a love of healthy foods for the
rest of their lives.

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Fight Stress With Healthy Eating

Whenever we get too busy or stressed, we all tend to make poor food choices that will actually increase stress and cause other problems. To get the most of your healthy eating and avoid stress, follow these simple tips. Always eat breakfast Even though you may think you aren't hungry, you need to eat something. Skipping breakfast makes it harder to maintain the proper blood and sugar levels during the day, so you should always eat something. Carry a snack Keeping some protein rich snacks in your car, office, or pocket book will help you avoid blood sugar level dips, the accompanying mood swings, and the fatigue. Trail mix, granola bars, and energy bars all have the nutrients you need. Healthy munchies If you like to munch when you're stressed out, you can replace chips or other non healthy foods with carrot sticks, celery sticks, or even sunflower seeds. Bring your lunch Although a lot of people prefer to eat fast food for lunch, you can save a lot of money and actually eat healthier if you take a few minutes and pack a lunch at home. Even if you only do this a few times a week, you'll see a much better improvement over eating out. Stock your home As important as it is to get the bad food out of your house, it's even more important to get the good food in! The best way to do this is to plan a menu of healthy meals at snacks at the beginning of the week, list the ingedients you need, then go shop for it. This way, you'll know what you want when you need it and you won't have to stress over what to eat.

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Eating Healthy When Eating Out

 Eating Healthy When Eating Out

If you go out to a restaurant to eat, you probably

watch your calories very closely.  To assist you

with your calorie watching when dining out, these

tips will help you make the most of it.

-  Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side,

as this way you have control over how much you add

 to your meal.

-  When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you

should ask that the food be grilled without butter

or oil, or prepared with very little or either or.

-  Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the lookout

for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based

sauces.  Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat

and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted

as a vegetable!

-  You should always try to drink water, diet soda,

or tea instead of soda or beverages that contain

alcohol.

-  If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half

of the dessert will equal half of the calories.

-  When you choose a soup, remember that cream

based soups are higher in fat and calories than

other soups.  A soup can be a great appetizer, as

most are low in calories and you fill you up pretty

fast.

-  When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead

of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon.  Salsa

is very low in calories and provides a healthy

alternative with plenty of flavor and spice.

-  When you are full, stop eating.  Listen to your

body and what it tells you.

-  If you get full, take half of your meal home.

The second portion of your meal can serve as a second

meal later.  This way, you get two meals for the

price of one.

-  If you're looking to eat less, order two appetizers

or an appetizer and a salad as your meal.

-  If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked

potato or steamed vegetables instead of french

fries.

-  Always look for food on the menu that's baked,

grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed.  These types

of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and

are usually much lower in calories.

-  Plain bread or rolls are low in both fat and

calories.  When you add the butter and oil, you

increase the fat and calorie intake.

-  As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes

with fruits and vegetables.  Both fruits and

vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as

well as many vitamins and minerals.

-  Choose foods made with whole grains, such as

whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice.

-  If you crave dessert, look for something with

low fat, such as berries or fruit.

-  Always remember not to deprive yourself of the

foods you truly love.  All types of foods can fit

into a well balanced diet.

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Eating Healthy On Vacation

 Eating Healthy On Vacation

It cant be very tempting to abandon your good sense of healthy eating on vacation. Although you may strive for healthy eating, it's easy to drift off and grab an ice cream cone here and there. There are however, ways to watch what you eat on vacation. It's easier than ever these days to request a low fat or vegetarian meal on airplane flights. If you choose to instead drive to your destination, the quest to find healthy food can get a bit more complicated. Rather than simply relying on greasy foods for nutrition, pack some nutritious foods in a cooler full of ice packs. Fruits and vegetables, crackers, yogurt, and sandwiches are all great to have with you on the road. Once you arrive at your hotel, you should do yourself a favor and turn the minibar key down - as this helps to avoid the temptation. If your hotel offers a continental breakfast, stick to fruits, cereals, and proteins. If your hotel has a stove or microwave, consider bringing your own healthy food with you. If you simply must eat out, do so only when you are hungry. Restaurants will usually serve large portions, so be careful. If you do go a bit over on a meal, simply cut back on the next. If you find it hard to fit in three square meals a day, try to fit in six smaller meals or snacks, as your body needs fuel every four hours or so. When you eat out, avoid appetizers. Whatever you do, do not miss any meals. When it's possible, you should avoid eating large meals at night. When your body gets ready for sleep and slows down, it also burns calories at a much slower pace. Never eat bread before bed, and make sure to avoid the butter. Choose fish or poultry for your meal instead, and include vegetables as a side dish. Even though it may sound hard, eating healthy on vacation isn't really that difficult. All you have to do is use a little will power, and pass up foods that you know aren't good for you. This way, you'll enjoy healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle wherever you go. The next time you go on a vacation, always remember that eating healthy is a way of life. You can afford to get something you crave, although you shouldn't make a habit of it. One ice cream cone or a pizza isn't going to matter - as long as you know when to stop.

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Eating Healthy On The Run

Eating Healthy On The Run

Whether your traveling on the go or around the home, you don't need to give up healthy eating simply because you are on the run. The fact is, healthy eating is even more important when your trying to keep up with a busy schedule. Having a good diet will help your body to handle stress better. As you hustle about, a healthy meal is probably the last thing you think about. The following tips can help you eat when your on the go. Restaurants With tempting menus, large portions, and a festive atmosphere, it's easy to skip healthy eating. It's okay to splurge every now and then, although you'll pack on a lot of weight if you make it a habit. When you eat out at restaurants, always be smart about it. Airports An airport can be a very stressful place, although you shouldn't scrap your diet because of it. Eat because you are hungry, not because of stress, boredom, or to kill time. In your car Keep some healthy snacks in your car at all times, so that when you get hungry - you have them. At home Evenings and mornings are busy times in most homes. Making the time to eat can be hard, although you shouldn't run out the door without eating breakfast first. Cereal with milk, a banana, muffin, or even a bagel is a great way to start the day. Anytime you are on the go, always make sure that you make the right food decisions. You can take healthy food with you if you need to, so that you have it when you need it. Eating healthy on the go is easy to do, once you know how. Never sacrifice healthy food for junk, as your body will regret it later.

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Eating Healthy On A Budget

Eating Healthy On A Budget

If you have problems serving healthy foods because
of the prices, you'll find these tips to be just
what you need to eat healthy on a budget.









 1.  Eliminate junk food
Doing your shopping on your own is the easiest way
to shop, as children and sometimes spouses are
usually the ones requesting junk food.  Shopping
alone will prevent this, and ensure that you only
buy the foods you need.

2.  Water or milk instead of soft drinks
You can still enjoy your favorite drinks at a
sporting event or night out, although you should
stick with the smallest size when shopping to save
money and calories.  Children and even adults need
milk or milk products on a daily basis.  Milk will
also help you get strong and provides calcium for
healthy bones and healthy teeth.

3.  Buy fruits in quantity
Whne they are in season, buy fruits in quantity
and freeze any extras.  You can buy several pounds
this way, and freeze extras to have them when the
fruit goes out of season.  Wash the fruit well,
remove any spoiled pieces, dry thoroughly, then
freeze in plastic zipper bags.

4.  Meats and beans
Meats and beans are the best sources for protein.
Lean meat is more expensive than meats with a lot
of fat.  Canned beans are a great deal as well,
as they give you protein at a great price.

5.  Beans as a substitute
You should use beans a substitute for meat on a
frequent occasion.  There are several varieties,
so you can prepare them in a crock pot, so when
you return home they are ready to consume.

The USDA recommends eating beans at least 4 times
per week.  If you experience gas after eating
beans you should try washing them, covering them
with water, bringing the water to a boil, then
draining it off and refilling the pot.

6.  If you live in a coastal area or an area
where fish are around, make that an integral
part of your diet.  You can catch them from the
lakes or rivers, saving money in the process.

7.  Peanut butter is great for those on a budget
as it's popular with almost everyone.  You can
use it for sandwiches instead of eating hot
dogs.  It does need to be refrigerated, although
bigger jars can last you for weeks.

8.  You should fill up with foods that have a high
content of water.  Watermelon, salads, and even
sugar free gelatin are all great examples.

Eating healthy is always something you can't go
wrong with.  You can eat healthy for just a few
bucks, which makes it perfect for those on a
budget. Now, you don't need a lot of money to have
the lifestyle and health you've always wanted.

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Tips Diet Your During Pregnancy

Dieting to lose weight during pregnancy can be hazardous to you and your baby, especially since a weight loss regimen may restrict important nutrients such as iron, folic acid, and other important vitamins and minerals. The type of diet we encourage during pregnancy refers to fine-tuning your eating habits to ensure you are receiving adequate nutrition for the health of you and your baby. In order to get the nutrients you need, you must eat from a variety of food groups, including fruits and vegetables, breads and grains, protein sources and dairy products. Here is a look at the food groups and some suggested sources for creating a healthy diet during pregnancy. Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain many important nutrients for pregnancy especially, Vitamin C and Folic Acid. A good source of folic acid can be found in dark green leafy vegetables (other sources of folic acid include legumes, such as black or lima beans, black-eyed peas, and veal). Diet During Pregnancy: Fruits and Vegetables Since your developing baby requires a considerable amount of calcium, your body will take calcium from your bones, if you do not consume enough through your diet (which can lead to future problems, such as osteoporosis). Prenatal Vitamins: Although the main source of vitamins and nutrients needed during pregnancy should come from your diet, a daily prenatal vitamin can help fill small gaps just in case you unintentionally do not get enough key nutrients. REMEMBER   a prenatal vitamin, or any other supplement can only complement a healthy diet during pregnancy. The following sample menu will give you some idea of what a pregnant woman should typically consume in a day for a healthy diet during pregnancy.

Source : http://americanpregnancy.org

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Eating Healthy For Students

For students, eating at college is an entire new

ball game, with late night pizza delivery and food

from buggies.  Even though some of these quick and

simple options taste great, they are probably 

not healthy for a student's body.  

The food choices students make can affect whether

or not they are able to remain awake during class

and whether or not they will come down with 

mononucleosis when it hits campus.  The problem

is not only about eating junk food, it's more 

about not getting the proper proteins, carbs, 

vitamins, and minerals that people need.

When it comes to defending against illnesses, 

vitamins and minerals are very important.  Just

because they are important, isn't a reason for

students to run out and stock up on vitamins and

supplements.  It's best for students to get their

nutrition from food.

You can find vitamin C in citric fruits, Vitamin

A in milk and diary products, and vitamin E in 

nuts, whole wheat products, and even green leafy

vegetables.  This is the ideal way to get 

nutrition, as your body relies on these vitamins

for many reasons.

When you eat on campus, skip on the soda's and 

go right to the juice machines.  Explore the 

different entrees available and go to the salad

bar where there are fresh vegetables.  You can

also try putting some broccoli and cauliflower

in the microwave for steamed vegetables.  There

are always healthy cereals and plenty of fresh

fruit available in dining halls as well.

Always remember that eating healthy isn't just

about avoiding greasy foods.  Eating healthy

involves getting a balanced diet and getting the

right nutrients and vitamins to keep your body

in peak performance - or at least awake during 

your classes.

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Eating Healthy During Pregnancy

Starting off your with a healthy well

balanced diet is the best thing you do for yourself

and your baby.  This way, you'll only need to make

a few adjustments during your pregnancy.

Your first trimester

If you find it tough to maintain a balanced diet 

during your first trimester, you can rest assured

that your not alone.  Due to queasiness, some 

women will eat all of the time and gain a lot of 

weight in the process.  Other women have trouble

getting food down and subsequently lose weight.  

Preventing malnutrition and dehydration are your

most important factors during first trimester.  

Calories

When you are pregnant, you need to consume around

300 calories more than usual every day.  The best

way to go about doing this is listening to your 

body when you are hungry.  You should try to eat

as many foods as possible from the bottom of the

food pyramid.

If you gain weight too slow, try eating small 

meals and slightly increase the fat in your diet.

You should always eat when you are hungry, as you

are now eating for 2 instead of one.

Calcium

By the second trimester, you'll need around 1,500

milligrams of calcium each day for your bones and

your baby', which is more than a quart of milk. 

Calcium is something that's missing from many 

diets.  Along with milk, other great sources for

calcium include dairy products, calcium fortified

juices, and even calcium tablets.

Fiber

Fiber can help to prevent constipation, which is

a common pregnancy problem.  You can find fiber in 

whole grains, fruits, and even vegetables.  Fiber

supplements such as Metamucil and Citrucel are 

safe to take during pregnancy.

Protein

Unless you happen to be a strict vegetarian, your

protein intake is not normally a problem for women

who eat a healthy diet.

Iron 

A lot of women will start their pregnancy off with

a bit of iron deficiency.  Good sources of iron 

include dark leafy green vegetables and meats.  Iron

supplements should be avoided, as they can cause

internal symptoms such as cramping, constipation,

or diarrhea.  

Vitamins

Seeing as how you get a majority of the vitamins you

need in your diet, you may want to discuss prenatal

vitamins with your doctor.  Folate is one of the most

important, and if you are getting enough of it, you

may be able to avoid vitamins all together - just ask

your doctor to make sure.

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Eating For A Healthy Heart

Bad cholesterol or a bad diet is something we all
experience at some point in time.  It's impossible
to eat healthy our whole lives, even though we may
try hard to do it.  Eating healthy for your heart
is something everyone should try to do, especially
when it comes to restoring health and reducing
heart attacks.





Your heart and food
We know these things for sure - a diet high in
saturated fats will help raise your cholesterol,
which is a risk factor for heart disease.  People
that are obese are more prone to heart disease.  A
diet high in sodium may elevate your blood pressure,
leading to inflammation and even heart disease.

To help prevent heart disease and improve your health,
put the tips below to good use.

Eat plenty of fish
Herring, sardines, and salmon are all excellent sources
of Omega 3 essential fatty acids.  Other fish are great
to, although Omega 3 may help to get your cholesterol
down to a healthier level.

Choosing healthy fats and oils
Saturated fat will increase the risk of heart disease.
It's found in meat, butter, and even coconut oil.  You
should avoid them until your cholesterol levels are
down and you are at a healthy weight.  Even those
that love red meats can enjoy seafood and nuts for
their main sources of protein.

Monounsaturated fats such as olive oils will help
you to protect your heart.  Olive oil is an ideal
choice for cooking, dressing, or even as a dipping
sauce.

Plenty of fiber
Fiber can help you control your cholesterol.  You
can find fiber in whole grain products to help
control sugar absorption as well, which will help
you keep your digestive system healthy.

Choosing carbohydrates
Eating for your heart involves staying away from
sugary foods such as candy, cookies, cakes, and
pastries.  Eating a lot of sugar isn't good for
your heart disease at all.  Healthy carbohydrates
involve whole grain breads, whole grain pasta, brown
rice, and a lot of vegetables.  You should make
fruits and vegetables the main aspect of your diet.

Healthy cooking methods
Stir frying and sauteing with olive oil or canola
oil are both great methods, as you shouldn't dip
your food in batter and fry it anymore.  If you
cook chicken, remove the skin and bake it in the
oven in foil.

Instead of frying your fish you should always bake
it.  Steaming your vegetables can help maintain the
most nutrients.  You should use cream sauces or lots
of butter anymore either.  When you eat vegetables,
try squeezing lemon juice on them or using your
favorite seasonings.

As you make the proper changes to your diet, keep in
mind that it takes time for them to become habits.
Eating healthy is always great for your body and your
lifestyle, especially when it comes to your heart and
the prevention of heart disease.

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Cooking with Oils

Everyone knows the foods to eat that improve health,

although how we cook the food can be just as important.
With there being so many oils and butter products
claiming to be the best, it can be quite difficult
to know which ones to use and which ones to avoid.

1.  Canola oil
Canola oil is a popular oil, with many physicians
claiming that it has the ability to lower the risk
of heart disease.  The oil is low in saturated fat,
high in monounsaturated fat, and offers the best
fatty acid composition when compared to other oils.

You can use canola oil in sauting, as a marinade
and even in low temperature stir frying.  It has
a bland flavor, which makes it a great oil for foods
that contain many spices.  Unlike other oils, this
one won't interfere with the taste of your meal.

2.  Olive oil
olive oil offers a very distinct flavor with plenty
of heart healthy ingedients.  The oil is rich in
monounsaturated fat, helps to lower cholesterol
levels and reduce risk of cancer.  It's also rich
in antioxidants and has a very long storage life.

Even though it can be used in cooking, it's the
healthiest when uncooked, such as with a salad or
dipping sauce.  When you use it with cooking, you
should heat it on low to medium temperatures, making
sure to avoid high heat.

3.  Butter
Butter is one food that has been around for many,
many years.  Butter tastes good, and offers sources
of Vitamin A and other fat soluble vitamins such as
E, K, and even D.  Butter is also made from natural
ingredients and not chemically or artificially
processed.

You can use butter with cooking, baking, or even as
a spread.  You can also pair it with creamy sauces,
marinades, baked dishes, or even bread.

4.  Margarine
Margarine was first introduced as an alternative to
high fat butter.  When it was first created however,
it was loaded with trans fat, a substance that we
now know raises bad cholesterol.

As a cooking oil, margarine tastes good, it's lower
in fat than most oils and butter, and it's quite
easy to spread.  It's available in a variety of
different products and a good source of vitamin E.

When it comes to cooking with oils, there are
several at your disposal.  There are many more than
what is mentioned here, although the ones above are
the most popular.  Eating healthy involves cooking
healthy food - which is where your cooking oil really
takes center stage.

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Changing How You Eating

Changing How You Eating

As you may know, not fueling up with the right
nutrients can affect how well your body performs
and your overall fitness benefits.  Even though
healthy eating is important, there are myths that
hinder your performance if you listen to them.

Below, you'll find some myth busters on healthy
eating.




1.  Working out on an empty stomach.
If you hear a rumbling noise in your stomach, the
rumbling is trying to tell you something.  Without
listening to them, you are forcing your body to
run without any fuel.  Before you exercise or do
any physical activity, always eat a light snack
such as an apple.

2.  Relying on energy bars and drinks.
Although they are fine every once in a while, they
don't deliver the antioxidants you need to prevent
cancer.  Fruits and vegetables are your best bets,
as they are loaded in vitamins, minerals, fluid,
and fiber.

3.  Skipping breakfast.
Skipping breakfast is never a good idea, as
breakfast starts the day.  Your body needs fuel
as soon as possible, and without it, you'll be
hungry throughout the day.

4.  Low carb diets.
Your body needs carbohydrates for your muscles and
the storing of energy.

5.  Eating what you want.
Eating healthy and exercising doesn't give you an
all access pass to eat anything you want.  Everyone
needs the same nutrients whether they exercise or
not, as well as fruits and vegetables.

6.  Not enough calories
Although losing weight involves calories, losing
it too quickly is never safe.  What you should do,
is aim for 1 - 2 pounds a week.  Always make sure
that you are getting enough calories to keep your
body operating smoothly.  If you start dropping
weight too fast, eat a bit more food.

7.  Skip soda and alcohol.
Water, milk, and juice is the best to drink for
active people.  You should drink often, and not
require on thirst to be an indicator.  By the time
you get thirsty, your body is already running a
bit too low.

Changing how you eat is always a great step
towards healthy eating and it will affect how your
body performs.  The healthier you eat, you better
you'll feel.  No matter how old you may be, healthy
eating is something you should strive for.  Once
you give it a chance, you'll see in no time at
all just how much it can change your life - for the
better.

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