
The food that you eat on a daily basis is broken down by your digestive system into the essential building blocks of life, or in other words "the stuff that becomes YOU". Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars, proteins into amino acids, fats into fatty acids, and DNA into nucleic acids. The quality, quantity and regularity of food that you eat directly reflects in your overall state of health, emotional state, energy level, and how quickly you rebound from injuries and illnesses. For these reasons alone healthy eating should become part of your lifestyle.
Six Tips For Healthy Eating
1. Eat Balanced Meals
Enjoying meals and snacks that include a balance of: proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This ensures stable blood sugar levels and prevents the breakdown of structural tissues. A balanced meal/snack will be 50% vegetables and fruit, 25% complex carbohydrates, and 25% protein (animal or vegetarian).
2. Eat on a Regular Basis
To maintain blood sugar levels, healthy metabolism, and long-term digestive health, eating 4-6 small to medium sized balanced, nutrient dense meals is essential, and it should all start with a healthy breakfast! In addition to eating regularly, drinking water regularly is also important. 1.5 - 2 liters a day on average is a healthy amount.
3. Whole Food Diet
Whole foods are foods that have undergone little to no processing and do not come in a box or a can. They are nutrient rich and essential to a healthy way of eating and living. Whole fruits, vegetables, lean meats, nuts and seeds are examples of whole foods.
4. Cheat Days
It is going to happen; you are going to find yourself raiding the cookie jar at 10 PM, or jumping for joy as the pizza delivery guy pulls into your driveway. As long as you are eating healthy 5 - 6 days a week a little indulgence shouldn't hurt.
5. Enjoy What You Eat
Just because food is healthy doesn't mean it has to taste bad. There are a lot of amazing recipes out there for healthy, balanced meals. One easily accessible and great recipe resource that I use is the Alive Magazine. Be creative and have fun with some healthy dishes.
6. Go Organic
Eating organic foods is one of the best ways to limit your exposure to pesticides, hormones and toxic chemicals found in common foods.
For questions or to book an appointment please contact my office at (250) 860 2212 or visit my website www.kelownaacupunctureclinic.com
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.