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The Whole Truth About Healthy Eating

There are many misconceptions about healthy eating today. Many people think that eating healthy means you have to give up flavour and be deprived of decadent treats, never to enjoy your meals again.

One of the biggest misconceptions about eating healthy food is that it isn't filling. People often assume that eating a salad as a meal will leave them feeling hungry. Even the concept of eating a fruit as a snack instead of potato chips or a candy bar scares them. The reality is that natural, whole foods are actually more filling than processed food because of their nutritional contents. In fact, whole foods have all the nutrients our bodies need to stay active and healthy. They are so complete that eating only whole foods can prevent diseases and health problems associated with eating an unhealthy diet. Whole foods give you energy, help your body to build and repair muscles and bones, and are a big part of a healthy functioning immune system.

Whole foods consist of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, meat and dairy. Meals should contain a healthy balance of all these food groups, as they consist of various nutrients necessary for a healthy body, mind and spirit. Any food that remains closest to its natural state is healthiest. In other words, foods that don't contain additives such as preservatives and dye, as well as chemicals from modified ingredients are best. Any food that is made of a combination of man-made ingredients and is somehow altered from its natural state is not considered whole food.

A sub-group of whole foods is now becoming increasingly popular. These are called superfoods. They refer to natural foods that are packed with a variety of nutrients that provide even greater health benefits. Common superfoods include those high in antioxidants, such as blueberries, broccoli, avocado, cinnamon and citrus fruits. Making superfoods part of your regular regimen can help prevent conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and can lower cholesterol.

Another myth is that healthy food doesn't taste good. Mother Nature has provided us with such a large variety of healthy foods that eating healthy can be a truly enjoyable experience. The colours, textures and flavours of nature's foods have a way of being enhanced when combined with each other and can make really tasty dishes. Experimenting with raw and lightly cooked variations will ensure that your healthy eating habits are a life-long commitment you enjoy.

Yet another misconception about healthy eating is that in order to be good for you, whole foods have to be organically grown. Organic foods are better for you because of the conditions under which they are produced. Organic meat from fish, cattle and fowl does not have residual chemicals from the feed, water and environment where the animal was raised or farmed. Produce from an organic farm is grown without the use of pesticides and under the most natural conditions possible. This translates to a higher cost for the food, but should not be a deterrent for eating healthy. While it's preferable to eat organic, a diet rich in non-organic whole foods is still a far cry healthier than any combination of processed foods.

A final misconception worth mentioning is the general assumption made by many people that taking supplements has equal benefits to eating foods that actually contain the vitamins and minerals essential to good health. Hoping this method will yield the same beneficial results as eating healthy whole foods, many fail to realise that supplements are meant to be a 'top-up' for the natural nutrients that cannot always be obtained in your regular diet, and not a substitute. Health and nutritional experts would confirm that vitamins and other nutritional supplements are an excellent addition to ensure optimum health and vitality but are not enough on their own to provide the body and mind what it needs to function at their best.

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Not all foods are created equal. It would be nonsense to say that a caramel flapjack and an organic apple containing the same number of calories are of equal health benefit. At the 'eat and burn' basic level then yes they might provide our body with the same number of calories but substance is surely just as important. We have all learned that the organic apple is bursting with healthy goodness, whilst the flapjack will be laden with sugar and other nutritional nastiness.

The food world has gone crazy over the past few years. Every other program on television is a cooking program. But why are we so obsessed? It is just body fuel at the end of the day...

I have to admit, I am a modern day 'foodie'. I love cooking and experimenting in the kitchen and I strongly believe in the health benefits of natural food. In my eyes, there is nothing wrong with this, food has the fantastic ability of making us happy so let's take advantage. However, you need to be aware of your root relationship with food. There is definitely a risk of obsessing over food. Such obsession may manifest itself as punishing yourself for eating 'junk' food, a lifetime of calorie counting, or possibly worse. We each have unique relationships with food and to get the most from food we should strip away the layers and get to the bottom of what and why. Why did you have to eat popcorn whilst watching that movie yesterday evening? Why did you have to drink alcohol when socialising last week? It is good to sit back and think about our food choices so we understand why we made them and can enjoy those choices instead of feeling guilty about them!

yuria_221

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Many women experience iron deficiencies during their pregnancies which can lead to iron deficient anemia. There are several foods that you can add into your diet that are high in iron such as green leafy vegetables, beans, or tofu. You can also take iron supplements to increase your intake as well.

It is also common to experience painful leg cramps in pregnancy. Surprisingly, these can be prevented by consuming more potassium. Bananas are a great potassium source and also make a quick and tasty snack!

There are several benefits that you will see from adopting a healthy diet during your pregnancy. There is no need to stop your healthy lifestyle after you have given birth! Continue choosing healthy foods and you will improve your life in many ways as well!

@rui_tale

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In addition to benefitting you baby, eating well during pregnancy will also provide benefits to you as well. The less that you gain during your pregnancy, the easier it will be to fit back into those pre-pregnancy jeans! Many women take pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever they want and gain a ton of weight. However an average pregnancy should only pack on an additional 30 lbs to your body. Anything more than this is excessive and will make it more difficult to get back in shape after the baby is born.

Eating well during your pregnancy will also benefit you by allowing you to feel better throughout the pregnancy. Filling up on foods that are high in nutrients and vitamins will keep you feeling energetic and upbeat. Filling up on junk food will cause your body to crash and burn which will bring about severe fatigue and possibly even depression. Light snacks throughout the day will keep your energy level at its peak.

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Babies that are born to mothers that did not follow a healthy and well-balanced diet have an increased risk of being born prematurely, with low birth weight, or with birth defects. There is even research that has shown that what a mother eats during the early months of pregnancy can affect the baby's future disposition to certain diseases such as diabetes and cancer. This is such an easy way to help protect your child's health in the future. What you are consuming during pregnancy can also affect your child's own eating habits into their lifetime. You should be introducing them to healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while they are still in the womb.

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If you are pregnant or hoping to conceive in the near future, you have probably already heard about the importance of a healthy diet during pregnancy. While there are many reasons why adopting a healthy lifestyle is especially important during pregnancy, the number one reason is to ensure the health of your little bundle of joy! All throughout the months of pregnancy, your baby is rapidly growing and developing and what you are consuming has a direct impact on the health and well-being of your child. Knowing this, there should be nothing stopping you from adopting a healthy lifestyle.

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