Eating healthy is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. But, with so many different opinions on what it means to eat healthy, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to making sure your nutritional needs are met each day. Fortunately, there are some simple tips that can help you make sure you get all the nutrients your body needs.
Start With the Basics
When creating a meal plan for yourself, it is important to make sure you include a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Protein helps build and repair muscle tissue and provides essential amino acids, carbohydrates provide energy, and fat helps keep cell walls strong and provides essential fatty acids. A general rule of thumb is that proteins should make up about 20-30% of your caloric intake, carbohydrates should be 40-60%, and fats should be 20-35%.
Incorporate Variety
In addition to focusing on the basics, it is also important to incorporate variety into your diet. Eating a variety of foods ensures that you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health. Try adding fresh fruits and vegetables into your meals every day as well as whole grains such as quinoa or brown rice instead of processed white rice or breads. Incorporating lean meats like chicken or fish in your meals will also help provide additional protein while keeping fats in check.
Pay Attention to Portion Sizes
It’s just as important to pay attention to portion sizes as it is the types of food you’re consuming. Eating too much can lead to weight gain, so be mindful of how much you put onto your plate at each meal. It’s best practice to fill half your plate with fruits and veggies, then divide the other half between lean proteins and complex carbs like grains or legumes. This will help keep calories in check while ensuring that you get all the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients needed for good health each day.
Use Supplements
Supplements can be a great way to fill any gaps in your diet, but they should not be seen as a replacement for real food. Instead, use them to supplement what you’re already eating. For example, if you’re not getting enough calcium or vitamin D from your regular meals and snacks, adding a daily supplement from a company like LIVS Gummies can help ensure that you get the nutrients needed for bones and teeth health.
Making sure your nutritional needs are met each day doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By following these simple tips—focusing on a balance of protein, carbs, fats, incorporating variety, and paying attention to portion sizes—you can easily create meals that meet all your nutritional needs without having to rely on any special diets or supplements. With some planning ahead, eating healthy can become an easy part of anyone’s daily routine. However, if you do feel that you need additional nutrients or vitamins, then supplements can be a great option as well. Speak to your doctor or nutritionist to determine which supplements might be right for you and how they should best be incorporated into your daily routine.
Written by: Emma Sturgis
About the author: Emma is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2.