WHAT IS A HEALTHFUL DIET?

A healthful diet often includes proportionate amounts of foods from each of the main food groups.

These food groups consist of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and fats. Yes, that's right, fats. We often view fat as a bad thing but in reality, there are fats that are essential. But there is a difference in getting fats from a cheeseburger or bowl of ice cream versus an avocado.

Most of this information is not new or groundbreaking and is well-known. So why do we find it so hard to have a balanced diet? There are several reasons for this but in general, it boils down to time and motivation. It would be easier if we all had personal chefs but for most of us that isn’t possible. It isn’t easy staying on top of your diet every day. It can be a struggle especially if you aren’t in a supportive environment. Stay strong and each step you take, no matter how small it may be, will bring joy and the feeling of accomplishment to your life. If you ever find yourself wanting help planning a robust diet that meets your needs, reach out to our team for a personalized meal plan as well as quick, savory, and fresh recipes. Check out our recipes link for our weekly meal inspirations.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Choosing a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is the best way to get all the vitamins and minerals the body needs.

Nutritionists recommend filling half of our plates with fruit or vegetables for each meal per day. This quantity can include fresh, frozen, and canned varieties. For the most health benefits, people can check product labels and avoid canned, frozen, or dried products with high sodium or added sugars.

A vegetable and fruit diet is associated with a lower risk of many conditions, including:
-heart disease
-stroke
-diabetes
-high blood pressure
-some cancers

All fruits and vegetables have health benefits, and healthcare professionals recommend that people consume a wide variety.

DAIRY

Dairy products can be excellent sources of calcium. A calcium-rich diet promotes healthy bones and teeth.

Dairy food group contains:
-fluid milk products
-foods made from milk that retain their calcium content, such as yogurt and cheese
-calcium-fortified soymilk, or soy beverage

Milk-based foods that do not retain calcium, such as cream, cream cheese, and butter, are not part of this food group.

There is a large debate on whether dairy is good for you and whether calcium can be ingested from other sources if a non-dairy diet is preferred.

WHERE DO SUPPLEMENTS FIT INTO MY DIETARY NEEDS?

As stated above a balanced diet, portion control, and caloric monitoring is the best way to supercharge your body into a lean mean running machine. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done in today's even faster-paced world. Making nutritious meals takes time and can quite frankly turn into a boring routine of the same bland foods. Humans like variety and they like flavor. And let’s face it broccoli can be pretty uninspiring to your taste buds. This along with the fact that vegetables and fruits have lower levels of nutrient content has brought about the use of supplements.

Taking supplements is a personal choice and one that should also be monitored by a health practitioner. Supplements can be beneficial but unfortunately, there are different grades of quality and the nutritional market is inundated with inferior products as well as bad actors looking to make a profit by exploiting uneducated consumers.

If you do decide that you would like help creating a personal nutritional plan or that supplementation will be a part of your dietary needs, our staff of practitioners are happy to assist you via 1-on-1 consultation. We are dedicated to helping you not only create a dietary regimen that works for your personal health goals but your supplemental needs as well.