Summer’s coming to an end and fall is rearing its head. With that comes cooler weather, and plenty of delicious and nutritious foods that grow well this time of year.
That said, as the season sets in, it can be tempting to indulge a little here and there. And as you know, a little can slowly add up to a LOT!
That’s why today we’re going to focus on food …
Specifically, how it’s starting to change from what you once knew it as, along with 5 tips to ensure you’re eating for optimal health and fitness.
It’s pretty well known that most folks today (at least on a Western diet) don’t get enough of the vitamins and minerals their bodies need.
Well science may finally have found an answer for that.
In 2011, British scientists created a new SUPER food – one that packs a HUGE nutritional punch.
They’ve created a new kind of broccoli – something they call “super broccoli” – that contains up to three times the normal amount of glucoraphanin.
This is a nutrient that’s believed to help in the fight against heart disease.
Lead scientist Richard Mithen, quipped that: “Vegetables are a medicine cabinet already …when you eat this broccoli … you get a reduction in cholesterol in your blood stream.” [1]
The good news is, this team of scientists did it naturally – without genetic modification. Instead, they were patient.
In many ways, yes.
Most food manufacturers inject big doses of vitamins and minerals into their products.
For example, many orange juice manufacturers add calcium to their orange juice …
Sugary cereals are “fortified” with vitamins and minerals and even other vegetables are being fortified – like mushrooms that include extra vitamin D and tomatoes with added selenium …
Only time will tell if this is a good thing … or a bad thing.
But in the meantime, why not just focus on eating a balanced, healthy diet?
Make sure your body gets plenty of the “stuff” it needs. Here are a few guidelines:
Eat lean meats: Great sources are grass-fed beef, chicken, fish, turkey, and most wild game.
Get plenty of “healthy” fats: This includes the heart-healthy omega 3’s, that you’ll find in fish like salmon, egg yolks, avocado, walnuts, and almonds.
Make sure to go colorful: That means plenty of vegetables and fruits. Go for bright colors – broccoli, kale, red peppers, carrots, squash, tomatoes, and berries are great choices. This will ensure you get plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and more.
Go unprocessed: Try to eat the large portion of your diet from food that doesn’t come in a box or bag. Rule of thumb: If it has one ingredient on the label, perfect. Two or three, pretty good. Any more than that (especially if you can’t pronounce them, don’t eat it).
Finally, in terms of carbs, try to get them from low-glycemic sources. Things like brown rice, oats, sweet potatoes, beans, etc.
This will make sure you don’t spike your insulin levels and keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day.
The result will be easier fat loss and increased energy.
Remember, diet is the biggest key to staying fit and healthy for life.
So while science tries to “cheat” the system by figuring out how to enhance what mother nature’s already given us, you can just make sure you’re getting most of the nutrients you need by following the tips above!
(And, make sure to take at least a multivitamin, to ensure you’ve covered all your bases).
Oh, and one more thing – if you’re serious about managing your overall health and fitness, why not take advantage of your FREE Fitness Consultation? (an $87 value)
During this consult, you’ll receive detailed information on how to get fit and trim that’s tailored to YOUR body.
There’s no obligation and it’s totally and completely free. To sign up, click here.
References:
[1].http://www.nbcnews.com/id/