Nutrition - Fat, Protein, Carbs, Slimming, Dieting, Healthy Eating

Not only should your lead an active life, but to maintain a healthy lifestyle you must appreciate the importance of food and the effects different types of food will have on your health.  It will not only affect your weight & size, but also your energy levels, skin & hair condition, memory, mood etc.  This does not mean you must follow a strict calorie controlled diet, or get on the scales everyday!

However, you should watch what you eat and make sure that the food you consume is as natural and process free as possible.

Did you know?

98% of all people who go on a diet regain their original weight!

As a nation we spend far more each year on diet products, however obesity among adults and children is increasing!

It is true YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.  A balanced and healthy diet is the key to a happy, healthy, and long life.

'The evidence for nutritional therapy is becoming so strong that if the doctors of today don’t become nutritionists, the nutritionists will become the doctors of tomorrow' 

The Optimum Nutrition Bible 1997

Research shows that nutritional therapy has proven successful in treating the following disorders:

        Headaches

        Digestive disorder

        Hormone related problems

        Chronic fatigue

        Skin problems

 Our bodies require a variety of food from the following food groups:

Carbohydrates

There are two main forms complex and simple, and is the main fuel for the body.  Good sources are pasta, bread, potatoes, dark leafy root vegetables, rice, pulses, rye, oats and fresh fruit.

Protein

This is vital for growth and repair, known as the building blocks of the body.  Sources include fish, meat (white preferred), beans, lentils, tufo, eggs, and cheese (dairy in moderation).

Fat

There are two basic kinds; saturated (hard) and unsaturated, try to avoid saturated fats these are in meat and dairy products.  Unsaturated are subdivided into – monounsaturated of which olive oil is a rich source and polyunsaturated found in nut and seed oils and fish.  These are sometimes referred to as Omega 3 and Omega 6 and are vital for brain and nervous system, immune system, cardio-vascular and skin.

Water

Two thirds of the body consists of water, therefore it is our most important nutrient.  The body loses 1.5 litres of water a day through the skin, lungs, and gut (urine).  The ideal daily intake is around 2 litres.  This should come from water, fruit teas, diluted fresh juice or fruit and vegetables. Alcohol, tea and coffee contain caffeine which causes the body to lose water, so are not recommended.

TOP TIPS

• Cut down on saturated fats
• Drinks lots of water
• Always eat a low sugar breakfast
• Eat plenty of dark green leafy vegetables
• Cut back on red meat and dairy products
• Eat organic when possible
• Read food labels
• Cut back on sweets and sugary snacks instead opt for fresh fruit, seeds, nuts etc
• Avoid refined or processed food
• Cut down on alcohol, coffee and tea

Recommended reading for health & happiness:

The Holford Diet by Patrick Holford
The Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford

Do you read food labels?

Do you know what the following ingredients are?

Aspartame (in most 'NO ADDED SUGAR' products)

Phenylalanine (in most NO ADDED SUGAR' products)

MSG (in loads of flavoured products, crisps, tacos, take aways)

Do you know there side effects?
 
If you do not know what these are, then you should and if you have children or have friends that have children then it is vital that you keep spreading the word about these poisons that are in many of our food and drink products.  Even with the wonders of the internet, so many people are still unaware of this. 

For more infomation take a look at 'Health Rangers' YouTube clips, you will find some interesting results.  Also 'Google' these and see what you get!

Learn to read the labels, do not just look at the picture & words on the front, which these multi-million pound companies are using to sell the product with, or the token picture of a piece of fruit, or the words 'NO ADDED SUGAR', turn the product and read the back, if you see any of these then put it down and choose an altenative.

There are products everywhere out there that taste good, are the same price and do not contain this rubbish!

For further information visit: http://www.foodcomm.org.uk/, http://www.patrickholford.com/ and http://www.actiononadditives.com/