Food Nutrition- Finding the Correct Balance
The importance of food nutrition in keeping a healthy body becomes clearer as we age. As our skin ages, it loses collagen and elasticity, which causes it to sag. Our body’s metabolism slows down and so does the skin’s ability to repair itself.
A recent study by the National Institute of Health showed that people held off the signs of aging longer based on the food they ate. The report found that a
nutritious diet high in olive oil, vegetables, and beans appeared to help protect against the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Food nutrition that benefits our bodies include cantaloupe, apricots, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and other vegetables that have deep colors of yellow, orange or green.
Eat at least five helpings of fruit and vegetables everyday.
When shopping for the
nutritionally healthiest food, look for the most colorful fruit and vegetables. Foods high in antioxidants are brightly colored- purples, reds, and blues. Super charged antioxidant foods are dried red beans, pinto beans, blueberries, cranberries, artichokes, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, pecans, cherries, plums, and cooked Russet potatoes.
Antioxidants are nutritional substances, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that can block the damaging effects of oxidation in our body tissue. They counteract the oxidation process by neutralizing free radicals, the chemically charged atoms that damage cells, proteins, and our DNA. Antioxidants may help in preventing stroke, cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer’s.
Learning healthier cooking methods is a beneficial step to
healthy eating habits. A new way to make homemade pizza is to use whole-wheat crust. A recent test showed that baking longer and at higher temperatures boosts antioxidant levels in dough, especially whole-wheat varieties.
The key ingredient is using whole-wheat flour to make the dough. Antioxidants increased as high as 82% when baked at temperatures, ranging from 400 to 500 degrees, up to 14 minutes.
Vegetables that are rich in vitamins are lettuce, squash, sweet potatoes,
tomatoes, bell peppers. Fruits rich in vitamins include papayas, mangoes, oranges, and grapefruits. Other foods filled with healthy goodness are peanuts,
whole grain cereals, sunflower seeds, tuna, salmon,
coconut oil, eggs, low-fat organic milk, and peas.
Food nutrition is about selecting the correct balance of foods packed with vitamins and minerals for your general good health. Eating foods filled with beta-carotene such as carrots provides a defense against cell damage and gives your skin a healthy glow. Bananas and potatoes contain potassium, which improves symptoms associated with high blood pressure and
heart conditions by regulating sodium levels in your body.
Everyone is busy these days but make it a habit to buy
healthy snacks that won’t harm your body when you need an energy boost. Snack on 100% wheat thin crackers, fig bars, and now there are whole grain chocolate cookies available. Nuts contain “good” fats; try Planters nutrition heart-healthy mixed nuts for a satisfying and delicious pick me up.
Protein plays a part of helping us feel satisfied. Eating lean
organic meats should be included in your diet plan. Don’t forget the important organic milk and dairy products that provide calcium we need for strong bones, gums, and teeth. Calcium in our diet may slow or prevent the risk of osteoporosis. Read more of our articles on
food nutrition for the long lasting health benefits in store for you!