Basic PLUS Author |   22 Articles

Joined: August 19, 2010 United States
Was this article helpful? 0 0

Good Habits for A Healthy Body

Expert Author Christopher R. Edwards

Have you considered why our ancestors led such healthy lives, while we face health problems since our formative years? It is all a matter of adopting good habits.

A few generations ago, life was simpler and tougher. There were no household gadgets, no malls where you could just go and pick up food, and no takeaways when you didn't feel like cooking. All food was homegrown and home cooked, and people ate well and worked hard. This is still the case in some ethnic populations that have managed to steer clear of rampant modernization.

Now, we have made our lifestyle so much more convenient. When we pick up vegetables from the mall, we have no clue how they have been grown and what pesticides have been used. We buy butter and oils off the shelf without realizing how they have been processed and buy cakes and cookies without thinking twice about what ingredients are used. As a result, we pile on the calories and go on crash diets, only to end up harming ourselves.

One cardinal rule of eating healthy is that the more something is cooked, the more nutrients it loses. The processed food we get in the market all go through a process of pasteurization and homogenization. They are passed through high heat, and such foods lose their natural goodness. At times, they lose all their nutrients and need to be supplemented with the same after the processing is done.

Study the food pyramid closely and decide what a balanced diet plan should be like. Our body requires more than 40 kinds of nutrients, so our diet should consist of a balanced ratio of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

When we put on weight, we tend to shun all kinds of fat. What we must realize is that our body requires fat to convert it into energy. Fats are a valuable energy source that is full of fat soluble vitamins for growth.

Of course, too much fat is bad, and saturated and trans fats are bad for health. Avoid poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which can be found in most refined and overly heated oils except coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil, and flaxseed oil. Commercially baked goodies are also rich in PUFA, so make sure you choose carefully before you bite into these lovely cupcakes or cookies from your favorite bakery.

When consumed excessively, Omega 6 acids, which are found in most oils, is bad for health. This habit leads to cancer, heart, and inflammatory diseases. Omega 3 fatty acids, on the other hand, are good for regulating our cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Unfortunately, most people consume more Omega 6 than Omega 3, which is rarely consumed.

If you want to start eating healthy food, you should shift to natural, whole, or minimally processed foods. Try to incorporate raw veggies and fruits in your diet.

Fermented or cultured food products are very good for the body. These contain live cultures that detoxify the system, and can be found in probiotic yogurt and homemade cheese.

Once you make certain changes in your selection of foods, you will understand what you have been missing.

To Learn More Check Out: http://www.lose-lower-belly-fat.com
Lose Lower Belly FAT
Thanks,
Chris Edwards

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_R._Edwards

Important Disclaimer: Articles provided are for general information purposes only and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychological, tax, accounting, legal, investment, or any other professional advice. EzineArticles.com expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed by any of our members or anywhere else within the site. Lastly, EzineArticles.com does not endorse any article. Use at your own risk.