Many people are not on the same page when it comes to deciding what makes a healthy diet. People have different theories about what foods are better to eat and which ones you should avoid. These types of diets also accomplish different goals, such as weight loss, muscle growth, or even moral standards.
While the average person may be aware that a balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, and dairy, there are a lot of nuances to each of these categories and other options could provide more benefits.
Since there is a lot of confusion out there about how to eat healthier, here is a breakdown of some common questions that people have about what foods or drinks are good for them and why.
Juice is a Healthy Drink, Right?
Yes and no. While some types of juice are very healthy and can deliver a great balance of helpful acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients, there are others that may have some negative traits. In many cases, artificial sugars or other elements are added to make the juice taste sweeter. For this reason, certain juices are no that healthy. What you want to look for is all-natural juices with no added sugars. Some great options are apple juice, pineapple juice, and mango juice. Just watch out for the ingredients to make sure that it is not stuffed with harmful elements.
What Are Healthy Sources of Protein?
Protein is an important nutrient that helps build and maintain muscles. It is most commonly associated with animal products, such as meats and dairy products. You can consume protein from seafood, white meat, lean beef, eggs, milk, cheese, and yogurt. But protein can also come from other sources as well, such as nuts and beans. These make for perfect high-protein snacks that can help your body build muscle mass.
Can Supplements Provide the Nutrients I am Missing?
This is a common mistake that people make. Supplements are often used as a way to make up the difference in nutrient levels for poor diet choices. But they are a poor delivery system, even though they may be more convenient. Vitamin and mineral supplements are meant to be just that…supplementary. In other words, they should be used to support an already healthy diet. They are great for promoting cellular health, but not at the expense of balanced eating habits. If you are relying on supplements to obtain the right level of nutrients, then you are depriving your body of the ingredients needed to maintain cellular function.
Should I Cut Out Sugary and Fatty Foods?
Sort of. If your diet consists of many foods that have high sugar content or non-soluble fats, then you will need to reduce the amount that you take in. However, this does not mean that you must cut them out entirely. There is nothing wrong with eating some sugary and fatty foods that you enjoy, so long as you do so in moderation. Your body is able to handle a certain amount of these substances, but too much of it may overwhelm the system and result in damage such as cholesterol buildup. Plus, these tasty foods can be used to reward yourself for other positive dieting choices.
How Much Water is Enough?
Water is crucial to the functionality of the entire body. Since about 70% of the body is made up of water, replenishing it is extremely important. Drinking water helps your blood deliver nutrients throughout the body, aids your digestive system, and keeps all your cells hydrated and operating at peak performance. Needless to say, dehydration can cause a myriad of problems in all of your systems.
Research suggests that the right amount of water to drink in a day is between a ½ ounce and one ounce of water per pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 170 pounds, you should be drinking 85-170 ounces of water per day. If you live an active lifestyle or are located in a warmer climate, this number could be higher. Drinking the recommended amount of water every day will promote health today and in the long-term, so make sure that you are keeping your body sufficiently hydrated.
Talk With Your Doctor For a Customized Plan
No one knows your body better than you and your doctor, and not all diets work for everyone. The best thing that you can do to support your health goals with your eating habits is creating a plan with input from your doctor. Together, you can decide what types of food and drink your body needs to achieve your goals and maintain good health. After all, every person is unique, and following the wrong diet plan could do more harm than good. Open up a dialogue with a medical professional or dietician to create a custom plan that specifically benefits you.
