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Added January 14, 2013

Healthy Eating: What You Need

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Good fat? Find out about healthy eating.

You've heard the phrase, “You are what you eat,” right? Well, it's partially true not that you'll turn into a cow if you eat too many burgersbut there's a little truth in there somewhere!

 

Healthy eating is all about choosing the foods that help your body function at its best. A balanced diet gives you more energy, and helps you think more clearly. Take a look at the following tips and learn a little about nutrition: It'll help you make good decisions so you can feel your best, every day.

 

Food categories what you need for healthy eating
Your body needs at least 40 nutrients to work well. You get these nutrients through food and supplements (like vitamins). Food is divided into three categories: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Each of these provides vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Too much of any one category can throw your body's balance out of whack.

 

Let's go back to those burgers. Say you eat them for lunch and dinner every day. Well, burgers are red meat, which is protein. Too much protein is hard on your kidneys and can even damage them. Too many carbs (candy bars, pasta, bread) on the other hand, might make your pancreas work overtime, which can increase your chance of getting diabetes. Fats are a little more confusing because they are divided into "good" and "bad" categories. Bad fats can hurt you by possibly clogging your arteries and increasing your chance of heart disease.

 

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, or "carbs," are the sugars and starches found in foods like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals, dried beans and peas, and sugars. According to most nutrition experts, carbs should make up the bulk of your diet. Carbohydrates provide your body with valuable vitamins, minerals and fiber.

 

There are two kinds of carbs:

  • Simple carbsfound in sugars like honey, fruit, candy, and even non-diet soda.
  • Complex carbsfound in the starchy foods (bread, pasta, rice, and certain vegetables).

 

Fats
Fats are a great source of energy, but they have more calories per serving than any of the other food groupsabout 135 calories a tablespoon compared with 60 calories for a tablespoon of protein. Some fats are better for you than others. Steer clear of trans-unsaturated and saturated fats and cholesterol. These are found in animal fats and can be harmful to your body in large amounts.

 

Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatsfound in natural vegetable oilsactually help your body function. In Mediterranean countries (Italy, Spain, Greece) where olive oil is used a lot, there's a low rate of heart disease and breast cancer. Some fats are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These are mainly in fish oils, and actually protect your body against diseases such as atherosclerosis and arthritis.

 

Protein
Proteinsfound in meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, soy products, beans, seeds, cheese, and other foodsgive your body amino acids that help build and maintain tissue. Your body needs protein for repairing cells, too. Most people tend to eat more protein than they needand they get that protein mostly through meat and cheese, which isn't so great. Only about 10 to 15 percent of your total intake each day should be from protein.

 

So that’s a wrap on nutrition, but it’s up to you to choose the right foods for your body. Whether you’re looking to add more protein or carbs to your diet, do your research and make the right decision for you.

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33
comments so far
ImmaWIItard01
ImmaWIItard01
Posted February 25, 2013
I've tried eating healthy but it never works for me.
Koolgirl23
Koolgirl23
Posted December 30, 2012
Thank you so much I will totally use this I'm pretty CHUBBY so I need this
AlikatNya12
AlikatNya12
Posted August 01, 2012
What I've been doing is eating a diet composed of yoohoo's, ding-dongs, twinkies, and hoho's :3 (i wish)
Orlando 92
Orlando 92
Posted July 19, 2012
Don't be discouraged!!!!!!!!!
Adanna<3
Adanna<3
Posted July 21, 2012
Guys I need y'alls help. Im having my first tumbling class on 7/24/2012 and all I know how to do is a cartwheel (barley) and a floor up bridge. Im going through puberty and Ive gained a few pounds, but I have terrible eating habits. Should I go on a diet to eat healthier, cuz my face has been breaking out lately. Or should I just continue what Im doing and pass it off as body puberty changes? Comment ASAP PLEASE!
micki mouse roxx8
micki mouse roxx8
Posted June 30, 2012
as long as u exercise and watch ur diet than ur fine:) dnt stress too much about though were still growing:)
PuppyLover555
PuppyLover555
Posted April 23, 2012
Smile172058, I feel so bad for you!!! My dog passed away a week before my birthday, though.
danna
danna
Posted June 30, 2012
@ puppylover and smile. Mine after new years ( a cat though) and one before christmas. Our dog passed away on the last day before spring break, they just have the worst timing don't they!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111
KenzieGURL65
KenzieGURL65
Posted March 14, 2012
I think the best way to keep healthy is to ask your parents if they could not buy junk food. But, sometimes you have cravings... like a sweet tooth, choose fruits, or popsicles. If you are wanting something savory... choose crackers and cheese or something healthier and choose kettle corn popcorn. Try making it a habit to not eat junk food by not buying it or not looking at it... if you have a hard time with that.
20DawgFan07
20DawgFan07
Posted April 25, 2012
What is a healthy amount of food to eat (per day) in order to lose weight?
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