- Near North Health
MARCH - National Nutrition Month
March has come into full-swing with National Nutrition Month! When we hear or talk about nutrition, we can usually understand the main premise of the idea: Eating healthy − using food options that will promote a well-balanced lifestyle and prevent the likes of obesity, high cholesterol, and other preventable health issues. Let's take this discussion further with outlining some perfect examples of ingredients to adopt a nutritious lifestyle.
Focus on trying to make half of every meal you eat FULL of vegetables. Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants. Tomatoes reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K. Spinach is an extremely nutrient-rich vegetable. It contains high amounts of carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron, and calcium.
Make a large portion of the grains you eat whole-grain. A diet rich in whole grains has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer.
Eating a variety of lean protein foods such as chicken, seafood, eggs, and nuts are sure to help you maintain a balanced nutrition goal. Eating chicken breast suppresses and controls a body's homo-cysteine amino acid levels which, if too high, can lead to cardiovascular disease.
Stay away from unhealthy foods (and drinks!) such as candy, juices with high amounts of sugar, pop, chips, and any other snack foods that we tend to indulge a little too much into.
While eating a healthy and nutritious diet can be extremely difficult and sometimes daunting, a good idea is to set up something like a meal schedule. Having the opportunity to switch up ingredients every day will not only make your meal plans exciting, but you might find a healthy recipe that you never knew existed!
Bottom line: Nothing is more important than your family’s health. Take the steps needed to remove the less-healthy treats from your home and supplement them with delicious ones that will promote a healthier lifestyle.
B. Thalhammer
Source (https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/index.html)