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Healthy Diet – A Guide to Living Well

Everyone knows that diet is vital to a healthy mind and body. And when we say diet, we don’t necessarily mean being on a specific diet, but rather what you eat on a daily basis. While we all know the importance of eating healthy, many of us don’t. There’s always the temptation of fast or processed foods, which might taste good and fill you up, but will leave you empty in the all-important nutrition department.

The good news is that it’s never too late to start eating a healthier diet.

What Makes up a Healthy Diet?

Eating healthy mainly means eating a variety of foods from the basic food groups. Protein, dairy, fruits and veggies, grains, and fats. However, while it sounds easy to just pick something out of each group, put it on your plate and have a healthy meal, it’s not easy to get the proper nutrients you need.

Humans are creatures of habits and tastes and we gravitate toward those foods that we like. That means that we often over eat from one particular food group and neglect the others. And then there’s the issue of time. Many seniors are actively involved in their communities, churches, volunteer organizations and find that the only way to get a meal is through the local fast food drive thru.

Planning is the key to eating healthy. And while it does take some effort at the outset, you’ll reap the rewards in the long run. The first step in changing your diet is to consult your doctor. Ask him what nutrients you’re missing and if there’s anything special he recommends.

The next step is to pay attention to what you’re currently eating. Try keeping a diary of what you eat and drink for 1 week. When the week is up, take a look at your diary and see exactly what your eating trends are. You can get a good idea of the kinds of nutrients you’re missing by seeing a whole week’s worth of food. And while you don’t have to eat the exact amount of food from each group every day, you should average your eating out so that you’re getting the proper nutrition every week.

Setting Goals

 Keeping your diary is a good way to not only monitor the right kinds of foods, but the wrong kinds as well. Food, as with anything, should be taken in moderation, especially when it comes to those things we crave, but know aren’t good for us. If you find that you’re eating French fries four times a week, set a goal to replace them with either a salad or baked potato three times.

Today’s Americans consume far too much fatty and sugary foods, and while it’s okay to indulge once in awhile, you really need to monitor the amount of these kinds of foods you eat. Your goal for eating healthy should be to consume as many foods that are rich in nutrients as you can. These foods include: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and poultry.

Staying Disease Free

It can’t be stressed enough how important a healthy diet is to helping prevent certain diseases. Watching your calorie intake, limiting alcohol and caffeine, cutting back on foods high in saturated fat and limiting the amount of sugar you ingest is vital to maintaining a healthy metabolism and body function.

In addition to a healthy diet, you must strive to include a fitness routine to maintain proper weight and health. It’s recommended that you do 30 to 90 minutes of activity, such as walking or swimming, a day to keep your muscles and joints flexible.