Plan to Eat and Eat According to Your Plan

Poor nutrition has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and many other diseases. We can reduce our risk by choosing well-balanced meals. Balance, moderation and variety are the keys to eating well to maintain a sound mind and body.

This is the age of fast foods and eating out — the obvious consequence of fast-paced life, extreme work pressure and long and erratic hours of work and travel. Home food has become a rarity, a great challenge but worth adopting nonetheless.

First begin with a plan. You have heard many times that if you fail to plan, then, you plan to fail. It is the same with eating. Plan your meals at the beginning of the week. Breakfast is as simple as whole grain cereal, whole-wheat toast, fruit, low-fat yogurt, 100% juice, and skim milk. Pack your lunch the night before so you will not make excuses or be tempted to run to the hotdog vendor. Pack leftovers from dinner, a veggie or tuna sandwich with low-fat mayo, fruit or soup. Purchase ready-made salads [without dressing mixed in] for a quick and easy dinner. Store readily available vegetables with low fat dip for easy snacking. Children love to dunk food into dips, this is a great way to get them to eat a healthy snack.

Prepare meals that can be stored in the freezer such as casseroles, pasta dishes, etc. Before you go to work, take a dish out of the freezer to thaw out. When you come home from work, all you need to do is throw the thawed dish in the oven for about 35-45 minutes and dinner is served without much effort.

Eating healthy on a regular basis does take planning and discipline. At first, it may seem rigorous because you are learning how to prepare meals. Grocery shopping may also feel like a chore. But, within a couple of weeks, it will become a habit and second nature. You will feel more in control knowing exactly what ingredients are being used. Therefore, you do not have to worry about hidden fats or too much salt, that are likely present in most restaurant foods.

By providing healthy meals to your family you not only improve their health but also educate them about leading a healthy lifestyle. You become a good role model for your family that will go down from one generation to the next. This way you can correct the health problems inherited from parents and end the risk for your family's future generations.

However, don’t go overboard following the plan obsessively. Remember, moderation is the key. A cookie once in a while will save you from devouring an entire box in a weak moment.

Your meals should include protein, whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. As per RDA recommendations 55-70% carbohydrates, 20-30% fats and 15-20% proteins should be your daily intake. The World Health Organization adds 40-50 grams of fiber to it. Remember, a balanced, moderate and varied diet is essential to good health. Concentrate on foods that are high in vitamins, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, unrefined carbohydrates, high fiber that is low in sugar, low in fat and low in sodium. Plus, you must limit your intake of salt, sugar, caffeine, fats and alcohol to avoid stress that leads to cancer. According to the American Cancer Society 60% of cancer is related to diet.

A healthy diet is the first step towards leading a healthy life style. A good balanced diet will gradually lead to good eating habits and make your life less stressful. It’s best to make a plan and include your family for suggestions and feedback. If you get them involved, they will support you in making the changes. Finally, stick to the plan and soon you will see changes in your life; you will be able to manage stress, reduce risk of disease and illness, control weight, and provide energy.

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

With a blend of 19 fruits including the legendary Acai Berry MonaVie Juice is a unique and delicious nutritional beverage | Part Time Health Business Opportunity | Health 101
Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submission Service

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated