There is no lack of nutrition data available to those who want to learn about health. Federal guidelines for a balanced diet and labels on every food product sold in the United States provide information. For more information, or for alternative views, there are too many nutritional guides and online sites to assimilate.
If you are a beginner, the federal guidelines will provide a basic understanding of good versus bad fats, how much protein is recommended, what vitamins and minerals are essential, and how much fiber is needed on a daily basis. Most experts feel that a balanced diet of whole foods is the proper foundation for health and well-being.
After you gain a basic understanding, you will want to remember that we are not all alike. "Whole foods'" can mean lots of whole wheat bread, whole grains, and nuts for one person, while another may have a sensitivity to wheat and an allergy to tree nuts. A person who loves meat might get adequate protein but not enough vitamins and minerals, while a vegetarian could be lacking in protein.
If a person is allergic to foods or cannot digest them properly, that individual might get little food value out of their diet. Foods that contain 'empty calories', like potato chips or sodas - or that are full of preservatives, sodium, or sugars - will destroy health rather than build it. Artificial flavors and colors are additives that may cause problems.
It is important to know what is in your food, where it comes from, and how fresh it is. Vitamins may break down over long periods of shipping or of sitting on a shelf, and minerals can be lost during preparation - such as in canned vegetables or soups. Fresh local produce may be a better choice, but it is still important to know how it was grown and prepared for market.
You will find experts - many of them medical doctors - who advocate lots of good fat, almost no fat at all, complex carbohydrates as the basic food group, low-carb and high-protein diets, fruit only, vegetables only, or who say that you can eat anything you want if you exercise enough. The trick is to find out what works for you, create a program that builds health and fosters ideal weight, and stick to it.
The best practice is to read as much reputable nutrition data as you can, to get a consensus of opinion. Then try some of the programs for yourself. If you are sensitive to wheat or dairy, you will soon know. If you must eliminate certain foods to feel your best, make sure to find acceptable sources of the nutrients you will be missing. The more you investigate and experiment, the more you will feel sure of satisfying your own personal needs.
If you are a beginner, the federal guidelines will provide a basic understanding of good versus bad fats, how much protein is recommended, what vitamins and minerals are essential, and how much fiber is needed on a daily basis. Most experts feel that a balanced diet of whole foods is the proper foundation for health and well-being.
After you gain a basic understanding, you will want to remember that we are not all alike. "Whole foods'" can mean lots of whole wheat bread, whole grains, and nuts for one person, while another may have a sensitivity to wheat and an allergy to tree nuts. A person who loves meat might get adequate protein but not enough vitamins and minerals, while a vegetarian could be lacking in protein.
If a person is allergic to foods or cannot digest them properly, that individual might get little food value out of their diet. Foods that contain 'empty calories', like potato chips or sodas - or that are full of preservatives, sodium, or sugars - will destroy health rather than build it. Artificial flavors and colors are additives that may cause problems.
It is important to know what is in your food, where it comes from, and how fresh it is. Vitamins may break down over long periods of shipping or of sitting on a shelf, and minerals can be lost during preparation - such as in canned vegetables or soups. Fresh local produce may be a better choice, but it is still important to know how it was grown and prepared for market.
You will find experts - many of them medical doctors - who advocate lots of good fat, almost no fat at all, complex carbohydrates as the basic food group, low-carb and high-protein diets, fruit only, vegetables only, or who say that you can eat anything you want if you exercise enough. The trick is to find out what works for you, create a program that builds health and fosters ideal weight, and stick to it.
The best practice is to read as much reputable nutrition data as you can, to get a consensus of opinion. Then try some of the programs for yourself. If you are sensitive to wheat or dairy, you will soon know. If you must eliminate certain foods to feel your best, make sure to find acceptable sources of the nutrients you will be missing. The more you investigate and experiment, the more you will feel sure of satisfying your own personal needs.
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