Whether you are at your ideal weight or striving to reach your weight goal is it simply a matter of burning more calories than you take in?

The answer, I suggest, is no!

Overall body health improvement as well as weight gain or loss must be factored into the equation or you could be heading for problems. Correct nutrition can help to reduce the risk of a myriad of health-related problems, the most frightening of which are surely heart disease and cancer.

Proper nutrition, however, entails eating many different foods, monitoring your consumption of some food and beverage items, and counting calories. Good diets offer balanced nutrition that reduces cholesterol, blood pressure, and helps with weight control.

To function properly, your body must have the correct combination of nutrients:

 

Carbohydrates

They are the primary source of ammunition in your diet. The body uses carbohydrates to build glucose which can be used immediately or stored in your body for later. Too much glucose, however, is stored as fat. There are two types of carbohydrates – simple and complex. Sugars are simple carbohydrates. Starches and fibers are complex carbohydrates.

Proteins 

Proteins help your body build and maintain muscles and other tissues. They also function in the creation of hormones. Like carbohydrates, excess protein is stored as fat.

Animal and vegetable are the two major types of proteins. Too much animal protein can cause high cholesterol, as it is high in saturated fat.

Fat 

Strange as it may seem; fat is another nutrient your body requires. It comes in both saturated and unsaturated forms. Saturated fat puts you at risk of health problems. Unsaturated fat is healthy, but if it goes through any type of refinement process, it can become saturated fat. Essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6) are vital for our cell health. Getting your cells into balance can be a game changer – Get tested to make sure that you are ok and only use omega 3 with poliphenls (here you can get a test and omega 3 balanceoil that works! Please reach out for personal assistance or questions)

Vitamins 

These are also required nutrients. Different vitamins perform different tasks within the body. They can work with the metabolism to help with energy levels for any task you can think of that you need your body to perform. It has also been noted that certain vitamins can prevent disease.

For example, vitamins A, C, and E, also called antioxidants, can assist with the prevention of coronary artery disease by keeping build up from occurring on artery walls.

Vitamin B-1 is needed for digestion and proper nervous system function.

Vitamin B-2 is needed for normal cell growth. Vitamin B-3 helps to detoxify your body. Folic acid assists with production of red blood cells.

Vitamin D assists with the absorption of calcium. And here also I would reccommend getting tested regularly. Especially for women this is important to avoid osteoperosis and other deseases. (Get a home test here)

Vitamin K helps your blood clot.

Minerals and trace elements

These are another nutrient your body requires. Both are used in many different body processes. Minerals like chlorine help make your digestive juices. Phosphorus helps build strong bones. Both can be found in the foods we consume, but with a trace element, your body just needs a tiny amount. Salt is one final nutrient your body requires. You should not consume more than 2400 milligrams per day, though, as it might raise your blood pressure.

You should follow several guidelines to create a well balanced, nutritional diet. First, try to consume 250-400g of vegetables and one fruit each day. Make your lulnch and dinner plate half full of vegetables.

When making your selections for each day, be sure to choose a good variety. A good rough guide is to eat as many different colors as possible, this will help you to select from all five vegetable subgroups at least four times per week.

You should eat at least 85g of whole grain products each day (Oats, buckwheat, brown rice, Bulgur, Spelt). At least half of your grain intake should be whole grain based.  Your total fat intake should be between twenty and thirty percent of your calories. Most of the fats you consume should be in the form of unsaturated fats, as saturated fats can do much to damage your health. Aim for avocado, cold pressed olive oil, nuts and seeds, fatty fish.  Less than ten percent of your calories should come from saturated fats, and you should always try to avoid trans-fatty acid.

Fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be a regular part of your diet as should potassium rich foods. Alcoholic beverages only be consumed in moderation.

Excellent nutrition is the basis of a healthy diet.