subject: A Healthy Diet: Eat Smart, Lose Weight, Live Well [print this page] Something that's on the mind of many adults is eating a healthy diet. Whether you want to lose weight or not, diet changes can be hard to change. From heart-healthy foods to food that improve your eyesight or skin, there's a wide world full of the best nature has to offer.
Go natural. That's the simplest piece of food advice. The best foods are the ones that had the least steps from nature to your plate. Unprocessed vegetables and fruits are great for fighting off free radicals in your blood and keeping your heart strong. You know the saying about having an apple a day, but also consider new fruits to spice things up. Berries are full of nutrients, and they're versatile enough to add to salads, muffins, trail mixes and more. Color variety is a good indicator of what to eat. Bright green spinach and broccoli and red bell peppers are all good for your heart. Even if youre a meat eater, vegetarian cooking websites can be a great source for new and interesting recipes for fruits and vegetables.
Now you're probably wondering where's the beef. 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. Lean cuts of meat are okay for you, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna are actually very good for you. For good fats, consider black or kidney beans. Walnuts and almonds also have good fats in the form of plant omega-3's. The essential value of many beans, fish and nuts is that they provide your body with phytonutrients that help protect your heart.
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 have nutrients that are good for your heart and blood vessels, but with dark chocolate it's important that it has a cocoa content of 70% or more to get the best effect. Eating "bad" is generally okay as long as you don't eat them often and enjoy in moderation. You're more likely to maintain a healthy diet when you don't feel like eating a couple cookies or chips is "cheating."
When you incorporate small changes into all aspects of your life, it's less challenging to start and maintain a healthy diet. There are three areas in life that you can work on to better how you live: balanced diet, active lifestyle and hobbies that strengthen your mind and body.
