Eating Healthy Doesn't Have to Be Expensive
By Tom Herrin
There is lot said about healthy foods. You may have an interest in improving your diet, but when you look at some of the prices of those packaged healthy meals, you have second thoughts. It is understandable. We all have to live on some kind of budget. Changing to a healthier diet doesn’t have to require a second mortgage. It just may take a little planning and researching, but some small adjustments in your daily diet can bring about real changes. Simply checking labels and being selective about menu items can be the difference in good and bad health.
The Labels Can Tell A Lot
Most of us are familiar with the section on food labels that list the major nutrition information. Becoming familiar with the basics can help you to make good choices. We have to decide what kind of diet we are seeking. Many people look at lower carbs, higher protein, low fat. Those are pretty plain and easy to understand. Recognizing what the numbers mean is a different thing. For a low fat diet, we are usually looking for something with 30 percent fat or less. Milk is an exception. A low fat milk may actually contain more than 30 percent but is judged by a different standard. Skim is no fat. Carbohydrates will depend on what kind of carbs. High fiber cereals will be high in carbs because they perform a different function. Sodium will slip up on you. It may be shocking to see how much sodium is contained in many things. Look carefully, and become familiar with just how much is too much.
Protein Is A Different Story
You have to decide what you are trying to achieve with your protein. Since it doesn’t store like fats or carbs, you have to be sure there is enough to supply what your muscles need to perform. You will be constantly replacing the protein supply. It is possible to get too much. It is another thing you will have to decide just what your needs are.
Fruits And Vegetables Are Usually Good
You have to be careful how much fruit you consume. It is mostly good, but much of it contains quite a bit of sugar. Raw vegetables are great. Both fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and provide a pretty good amount of vitamins. They are the primary healthy food in many diets. You usually cannot go wrong by being sure you have enough of them. Educating yourself will go a long way in planning your meals, but more knowledge, and not more money, is the key.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.