Well, you don’t have to be a health food nut to eat healthy, or at least healthier.  And there’s no reason you can’t enjoy your food.  Eating sticks and twigs isn’t necessary.  If you enjoy stuff like Grape Nuts, more power to you.  If you don’t, well, there’s other healthy stuff to eat that WILL taste good to you.

Change A Little or Change A Lot – Your Call!

When it comes to what you eat, every time you make a healthy food choice, that’s a plus.  While some people have what I call a ‘conversion experience’ with health food and instantly clean out every offending food from their pantries and their diet, other people just aren’t comfortable with that.  They need to make it a more gradual process, changing their diet a bite at a time.

That’s okay.  You really don’t have to be a health food nut.

Now that being said, the healthier your diet is, the better off you’ll be.  Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can eat one healthy meal, or make two or three good food choices a day, and then eat junk food the rest of the day and that’s healthy.  Be realistic.

But if you can’t live without a Twinkie now and then, fine.  Just be aware of what you’re eating.  You know it’s not a healthy food choice.   Try to make a lot more food choices that ARE healthy than those that aren’t.

Health Food or Not Health Food? That’s Not The Question!

It’s doesn’t have to be a case of all or nothing.  Sure if you can make an immediate change to eating nothing but healthy foods, that’s super.  But sometimes there’s a learning curve to know what foods to eat.  And it can be very difficult sometimes to find the right food choices, especially when eating out somewhere. 

Just start thinking more about what you’re eating, and try to make healthier choices.  By just being aware of what you’re putting in your mouth, you’re making a step in the right direction.  Be open to trying different foods.  You may discover some of the so-called “health foods” actually taste pretty good.

So if the idea of being a health food nut makes you shudder, don’t give up on a healthy diet altogether, just make smaller changes.  It’s better to make gradual improvements in your diet than to make NO changes. 

Eat a better diet.  It’s good for your health. 
But you don’t have to be a health food nut.

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

I don’t want to be a health food nut!

Functional foods are defined as “foods that have been linked to potentially healthful benefits.”

Obviously, some foods provide more health benefits than others, ranging from the super foods that are great health foods, to the dismal stuff loaded with toxic substances.

Choosing The Best Functional Foods

The New York State Dietetic Association recently chose what they consider to be the top five functional foods. They polled nutritionists in their organization to list foods they considered to have the best health benefits and value. Not surprisingly, three of their choices are on the Super Hero Health Foods List.

The Top Five Functional Foods List

Their choices are:

1. Salmon: Chosen for the potent omega-3 fatty acid levels, salmon tops the list. These substances have benefits for the heart, brain and more.
2. Oats: The high fiber content of oats landed them in second place. They are known for “aiding with digestion, [and which] also helps fight disease, and may lower risk for high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.” No doubt about it, oats are a functional food worthy of the Super Hero Health Food List!
3. Blueberries: If you haven’t heard about the benefits of blueberries, where have you been hiding? They’re full of vitamins C and E, along with other phytonutrients that make them a great functional food.
4. Low-fat milk: The high calcium and vitamin D content put low-fat milk on the list. Calcium and vitamin D are both good for lowering blood pressure and building strong bones.
5. Low-fat yogurt: Not just any low-fat yogurt, but the kinds containing “live and active cultures” that act as probiotics. These living organisms aid in digestion and immune function

There you have it, their list of the top five functional foods. Adding any of these to your diet would be a good way to get more easy healthy food in your diet!

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Top Five Functional Foods In Health Food News

Heart Healthy Food Info

A lot of individuals eat on the run in today’s fast-paced society. You’re usually better off eating at home rather than dining in a restaurant. But it’s still possible to make healthy selections if you have to eat fast food. Keep these guidelines in mind as you choose your next fast food meal.

Most fast food restaurants are conscious of the reputation their food has for clogging arteries. In response, they now offer a number of menu selections that are a lot healthier. For instance, many fast food chains now have salads on the menu. Nevertheless, watch out for dressings that are loaded with saturated fat. Salads that are garnished with deep fried chicken aren’t as heart healthy as the ones containing grilled chicken.

For your sandwich, opt for grilled chicken over fried. As well, it’s usually a good idea to request as many veggies as possible to be included in your sandwich. Rather than using mayonnaise for a dressing, choose ketchup or mustard, which are low in saturated fat.

When deciding on the side servings, select fruit or salad instead of fries. So instead of a lunch laden with saturated fat, you’ll be feeding your body the fiber and vitamins it needs. Instead of soda, pick juice or milk to drink with your meal. This will assist in keeping your blood sugar stable and will boost your intake of vitamins and minerals.

Watch The Portions

It’s alright to give in to the occasional craving for a hamburger and French fries. But be aware of the portion size you’re ordering. A lot of fast food restaurants provide servings that are big enough for more than one meal. Choosing a kid’s meal or a small burger with french fries will help to hold down the amount of saturated fat you consume.

When making fast food choices for your children, keep in mind that there are now a variety of healthier selections like apple or orange slices. Opt for juice or milk over soda.

In fast food Mexican eateries, a simple burrito or taco could actually be quite healthful. By loading it up with lots of veggies, you’ll be able to raise the fiber content. Although a taco salad might seem healthy, it’s often laden with saturated fat and calories.

If you mostly eat fast food, and you’re not choosing the healthier menu options, you’re putting your heart health at risk. Your best option is to eat at home. Still, if you can’t always make that choice, give the new healthy food choices a try.

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Fast Food That’s Good for the Heart