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When it comes to basic nutrition and your body, it seems as though everyone has their own ideas about what you should and should not be doing. More importantly, it seems that every time you turn around, there is a new diet idea, a new superfood, or some celebrity or another promoting their own “ideas” about fitness and nutrition. Of course, it is far easier for everyone to tell you all about the things you shouldn’t be doing than coming up with a definitive list of those you should be doing. However, with the new year…
Here are 5 basic nutrition rules for 2017 that we should all be following.
1. Stay Away from Processed Foods
Processed foods may be quick and convenient, but at the same time, they are nutritional voids. Instead, your diet should consist of as many unprocessed foods as possible. In fact, you should avoid processed foods altogether if you can. Instead, your diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as you can find. Add in fresh organic meats, fish, poultry, and eggs, make sure you use brown rice instead of white rice. White rice has been over processed and contains very little in the way of nutrition. The same applies to grains, use whole grains, not refined ones. A perfect example is apple juice; you get far more nutrition from eating an apple than a glass of apple juice that can contain up to 15 grams of sugar.
2. Let Your Body Do the Talking
For decades, we have been programmed to eat three meals a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For most of us, this simply is not the best way to eat. When we eat this way, many of us eat far too much in order to make up for the fact we think we are hungrier than our body really is. Your body will tell you when it is hungry, you may find that eating several smaller meals throughout the day is a far better choice as it gives your body time to properly digest the food and distribute the nutrition. Eating 3 heavy meals per day can lead to weight gain and obesity rather than a happier healthier you.
3. Go for Raw Foods as Much as Possible
Research has shown time and again how much nutrition is lost when many foods such as fruits and vegetables are cooked. This same research shows that raw fruits, herbs, and vegetables have the highest levels of vital nutrients, minerals, live enzymes, and vitamins, Your daily diet should consist of approximately 40 percent cooked foods and 60 percent raw foods to ensure you get the highest possible nutritional value from it. If you are going to eat cooked foods, try to eat meals that have been cooked at home, this way you have far more control over the ingredients being used. On top of this, you are far less likely to overeat at home than you might be in a restaurant where you are paying top dollar for your meal.
4. Turmeric Is On the Rise
There has been a trend towards eating Indian foods that contain turmeric, which is one of the main ingredients in dishes such as curries recently. In India, there is a strong belief in a concept known as “Dosha” which is another way of talking about your body’s constitution. Ayurvedic foods include plenty of turmeric, which is considered by many to be a fantastic balancing addition to many dishes. The widespread use of turmeric is known to help prevent many diseases and reduce inflammation within the body. By following the concept of Ayurveda, it becomes much easier to avoid those foods you should not be eating and instead choose those that are good for your body.
[Tweet ” Why Turmeric Is On the Rise”]5. Stay Properly Hydrated
If there is one thing that most of us are terrible at, it is keeping our bodies properly hydrated. The old adage of needing to drink eight full glasses of water each and every day has been found to be a bit misleading. In reality, your body simply needs fluids to function properly, the amount each of us needs varies from one person to another in much the same way as how much food we eat varies. While water has always been and will always be your best choice, there are many other liquids you can drink that will meet your needs. The big thing is and will continue to be avoiding drinks loaded with sugar and caffeine as they have little to no real value. In addition to drinking plenty of water, it is also important to exercise regularly. A convenient way of getting in a daily workout is by building a garage gym.
With 2017 coming up, it’s time to take a good look at your current eating habits, no matter how healthy you think they might be and make the necessary changes to ensure the new year brings you plenty of good health and happiness.
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the above article. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? What are you still working on accepting?
I thank my blessings every day and have accepted that everything happens for a reason. I am on my current path because of certain choices I’ve made in my life, and it is the right road for me. I’m learning to accept that certain things are beyond my control.
2. What have you learn to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? What are you still working on to appreciate?
I’ve learned to appreciate the importance of slowing down and taking each moment as it comes. I’m still working on trying to appreciate the hustle and bustle of city life.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? And what makes YOU most proud? What goals and dreams do you still have?
My most rewarding achievement has been the balance I’ve found between family, work and time for myself. I’m proud that I’m able to pursue my passion for writing in addition to doing other things. My goal is to be a small business owner one day.
4. We all have imperfections, so we think. The truth–we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? What imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
I’m an introvert, and live in my own little bubble sometimes. So I tend to be oblivious to the problems of the people around me.
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to express and appreciate all the positive traits that make you…well… YOU! Sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (we assure you!) Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my ability to stay positive and look for the silver lining in any situation.
