Everyone should have their vitamin D level checked at least once a year. If they are deficient their doctor can recommend a supplement to increase their level. Even though vitamin D is supplemented in milk, many people do not drink enough to get the amount they need. The other main source of vitamin D is from sunlight. Since people in northern countries have less sun exposure during the year they are especially prone to deficiency. Widespread sunscreen use has contributed to low levels of vitamin D also.
Start your day with a healthy breakfast. Many people think that by skipping breakfast they will save calories. However, studies have shown that eating breakfast gets your metabolism going, prevents you from overeating later on in the day, and ultimately helps you lose weight. To maximize your results, choose protein and fiber-rich foods over sugary doughnuts.
Organic food is much in the news these days and many of us are paying attention, as we should. Eating organically grown foods maximizes the nutrients we receive. One reason is that the soil on an organic farm is richer in the nutrients we need, which then imparts these nutrients into the food that we eat.
If you don't like vegetables, try hiding them in different dishes. For example, vegetable lasagna is usually enjoyed by everyone, even those who don't enjoy the vegetables. This way, you can get all the really great minerals and vitamins from vegetables without having to eat them in a way that you'd rather not.
When you go grocery shopping, be sure to make a list ahead of time and try setting a time limit for your shopping. If you have a list, you are less likely to purchase items that are unhealthy for you. When you set a time limit, this can prevent you from going into parts of the store that has processed food.
When you are trying to decide what to have for dinner, remember that you should have equal amounts of vegetable and grains on your plate. You will be able to get full without eating too much of the calorie-ridden grains. This is because a cup of grains has about 200 calories and the veggies have just 50 or so.
Not everyone likes to talk about it, but everybody knows it: Fiber keeps your regular. Meeting your recommended daily allowance of fiber is easier than ever with commercially prepared over-the-counter fiber supplements, not to mention the abundance of fiber found naturally in popular foods like oats, whole grains, lettuce, fresh spinach, and most other vegetables. Getting enough fiber also helps to lower your risk of developing heart disease and certain types of diabetes.
For the greatest level of success in increasing the nutritional value of your diet, don't abandon all unhealthy foods at once. Trying to make a drastic change in your diet is sure to lead to failure. It will make you feel deprived and confused. Instead, focus on adding healthy foods in slowly, even just one at a time.
Raisins and other dry fruits make for a great addition to hot check here cereals. Keep a box or two around so you can always take advantage of the vitamins they pack. Simply sprinkle them into your oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat or any hot cereal after you've cooked it. They will quickly absorb moisture and release part of their flavor right into your bowl.
Use whole wheat flour instead of white flour when you are baking, it is better for you. Using 100% whole wheat flour will boost the fiber, protein and iron content of your foods.
A good nutrition tip is to be sure your body is getting enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important because it dictates how much calcium your body absorbs. An easy way to make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D is by getting a little bit of sun everyday.
When you are eating out at restaurants, do not add salt to any of your meals. It is common for restaurants to use more salt than you would use at home, so adding more salt to your food will put your food in a very bad sodium range.
Try to eat foods that are high in fiber right before eating full meals because they will help you to eat much less than you would have otherwise. A good example of that is eating an apple before each meal, since apples are very high in fiber.
While potatoes are extremely nutritious, the monotony of brown skin and white flesh can be fairly boring. Adding other vegetables to a puree, such as cauliflower to mashed potatoes, can help boost the nutritional value. Adding colored varieties, like naturally purple or yellow varieties, can add spark and interest to a plate.
As noted in this article, the nutrients you get from the foods you eat affect every facet of your health and daily life. With the advice from this article, you should now be better prepared to make those changes to your diet that your body is craving. You'll feel better, and be healthier for it.
