subject: You Don't Have to Pay for It: Tips for Eating Well [print this page] You Don't Have to Pay for It: Tips for Eating Well
You've probably thought about eating in the last few minutes if not right now. Food and eating preoccupies many people's minds. Whether you want to lose weight or not, diet changes can be hard to change. Familiarizing yourself with "health food" is the best way to get over the intimidation and begin helping your heart and body. A healthy diet should always begin with a selection of natural foods. Fresh foods are extremely healthful, and even options like unprocessed canned vegetables or fresh-frozen ones can be good. Fresh fruits and vegetables are part of the foundation for a heart-healthy diet because they help eliminate free radicals in your bloodstream, which protects your blood vessels. Apples and oranges are good for you, of course, but consider trying some tasty tropical fruits for a little variety. Papaya has beta-carotene, Vitamins C and E and more; it's great for smoothies, a fresh salsa or by itself. Acorn squash has B-complex and C vitamins, and spinach is very healthful. In fact, baked squash served with sauteed spinach can make a great dish. Eating your veggies doesn't have to be boring when you add variety and don't mind looking for new and exciting cooking ideas. You want to know about protein, right? Often the negative aspects of meat and fish are reported more than the positives. There are plenty of healthy protein choices for you to eat and enjoy. Fish like tuna and salmon are wonderful for their omega-3 fatty acids, good fats. Beans and legumes are other good non-meat sources of protein as well as nuts like walnuts and almonds. Adding whole grains to these protein sources is a great way to consume vital heart-healthy nutrients. If you think you have to skip dessert to be healthy, think again. You read that correctly; you should treat yourself. Consider foods like genuine dark chocolate and fine red wine. Red wine and dark chocolate with cocoa content of 70% or higher both have flavonoids that can improve good cholesterol and help lower your blood pressure. Eating "bad" is generally okay as long as you don't eat them often and enjoy in moderation. If you enjoy your food guilt-free, you're less like to overdo it. The key to maintaining a healthy diet is to make easy-to-implement lifestyle changes. Your heart is at its best when you exercise, eat a well-rounded diet and enjoy your life to the fullest.
