When I was in school, we were taught about the food pyramid, which provided clear instruction on foods to eat and their importance. Somehow, between then and now, the food pyramid has been ignored. Too bad – this tool remains valid. While we have seen a few minor adjustments, I recommend you go back and look at the food pyramid to get a better idea of what healthy meaning really means.
Unfortunately, one fad diet after another has surfaced over the past 10 years. While some are better than others are, people have actually died from some of these so-called “safe” diets. The way you lose weight is important to your overall health. For this reason, you want to gain a better understand of what healthy eating is so you can make a permanent lifestyle change instead of getting sucked into fad diets.
For instance, protein would include meats, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, and milk. Carbohydrates are cereals, bread, rice, sugar, and potatoes. Then, you have fat, which consists of creams, oils, fatty meats, and butter. The last of the four food groups is fiber, consisting of whole grains, fresh vegetables, and some fruits. Protein is needed by the body to grow and make repairs. Both carbohydrates and fats are used by the body as fuel. Then, fiber keeps things in the body moving. Not eating a well-balanced diet of all four, food groups is not only dangerous but it will not necessarily help you lose weight. Sure, you might lose some muscle but not fat.
Learning to eat healthy foods takes time and discipline. However, once you become accustomed to the new flavors and textures, as well as feeling better, sleeping better, and having better concentration. The problem is that most people are hooked on junk food, things like chips, donuts, cookies, and other foods loaded with saturated fat. This type of fat will deposit in your arteries, causing them to become clogged. When this occurs, you are now at risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and other serious health problems.
By eating healthy, you are retraining your body with the right nutrients. This means your body is getting the needed vitamins and minerals so you live a long, healthy life. You will cut down on the risk of the mentioned diseases, as well as various forms of cancers. Go back to the food pyramid, choosing lean meats, fresh vegetables, low sugar fruits, and whole grains. If you consume about 25% less food while switching from junk to healthy food, you will notice a difference in weight, along with health.
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