You Are What You Eat

You've heard this saying before. You are what you eat. Is there any truth to it? Actually, yes, in the sense that healthy foods lead to a healthy body, and high fat, sugary foods lead to a tired, lethargic body. If you're looking for a healthy body weight, energy, and overall well-being, then certain foods can help you get there. What types of foods are best? While there are always individual considerations, most people would do well to follow certain guidelines.

Processing and Preparation

One important issue when planning a healthy lifestyle is how foods are packaged and prepared. For all types of food, fresh is best. Frozen is okay, too. Look for foods that have been "flash frozen." When shopping, you can find most of what you need by shopping around the perimeter of the store and avoiding most of the aisles. Stores usually put fresh and frozen foods around the outside. Canned may work if all other options are limited, but read the label to see how much junk is added. Look for foods canned in water.

Also, although it seems obvious, avoid foods that are highly processed. The more processing a food goes through, the fewer nutrients remain. Some foods are so far removed from their starting points that they're no longer recognizable!

Nutrition Facts of Proteins

Healthy proteins include low-fat varieties, such as chicken, turkey, and fish. Lean red meats are okay too, for many people. The high-fat ones are potentially the most dangerous. When you're shopping for meats, look for lean varieties. Avoid steaks and other cuts that have a lot of "white" showing, as this is fat, not protein. Some people do well with soy proteins as well. If you don't have soy allergies, you may want to experiment with some of the soy options.

Fresh is best, as are cuts that haven't been processed or altered much. Meats that are full of chemicals can cause health problems over time.

Nutrition facts on Bread (carbohydrates)

Carbohydrates have received a bad name in recent years. The fact is that not all carbs are bad. Many have vital nutrients as well as fiber, both of which are necessary for a healthy, well-rounded diet. The types of carbs to avoid are simple sugars, found in foods such as candy, sweets, and processed grains. White flour foods are missing the health values that remain in whole grain foods.

Fruits and vegetables both fall into the carbohydrate category. While some fruits are high in sugars, many also have important vitamins and nutrients. Many berries are high in antioxidants. Both fruits and vegetables tend to be high-fiber foods as well, which help you feel full and aid digestion.

Nutrition Facts of Fats

Some fat in your diet is essential for good health. Your vital organs rely on fats in order to function, including your brain! "Good" fats include those found in fish, olive oils, and some vegetables such as avocados.

When you consume a balanced diet of healthy, energy-producing foods, your body will respond in kind!