Beat The Aging Process With 5 Key Tips

 

Aging is inevitable. No matter how hard we try, it will catch up with us eventuality, but that does not mean that you have to sit back and let it prematurely take your youth away. No, there are things you can do starting right now to beat the aging process, and maintain your youthful looks and vigor well into an age nobody will be able to guess! 

 

These tips are extremely simple- there’s no magic pill here. Read on to find out the five keys tips you should be doing:

 

Sleep More

 

Sleeping is one of life’s simple pleasures, and something that should come naturally to everyone. However, more than half of the USA’s adult population is chronically sleep deprived, in the sense that they get less than the recommended 8-9 hours nightly, many days running. Sleep is the one thing that everyone has going for them, since it is the hit reset button for your body. 

 

During sleep, repair ensues, so that proteins in skin are fixed, hormone production is ramped up, and the process of rebuilding in general. Chronic sleep deficiency inhibits the ability of the body to fix structural defects, including in DNA, which can accelerate greying of hair, wrinkling of skin and deterioration of organs.

 

Get Your Veggies

 

Eat lots of vegetables. It doesn’t really matter which, but include a variety of different ones, as each bring something different to the table. Most vegetables are extremely low calories, making them perfect for bulk at mealtimes, as you can eat a lot, and not get a lot of calories. In addition, vegetables are full of fiber, which keep intestinal and colon health on point, as well as tons of anti-oxidants, vitamin and minerals, which fend off free radicals and compounds that damage DNA and promote aging.

 

Shed Bad Recreational Hobbies

 

Sure, watching TV late into the night is a bad hobby, and it is damaging, but it is not bad in the sense we are referring to. The ways we are talking about, relate to drinking, smoking and eating junk food. Excessive alcohol consumption places undue stress on the liver that’s primary job is to remove toxins from the body, and in some cases makes it unable to do its job. This accumulation of toxins is bad for health, and kick starts accelerates the aging process.

 

Smoking, on the other hand is worse in many aspects. With negative effects ranging from the lungs, to blood vessels and more, smoking can age you 25 years in just 5 years. Nutrient delivery suffers, so skin ages and wrinkles far sooner than it should, and you increase the risk of dying from complications of the lung.

 

Stay Happy

 

We don’t expect you to be euphoric all day long, but being happy has proven benefits over being sad, or pouty. This can be explained by endorphins, feel good chemicals produced in the brain that boost mood, reduce heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce stress levels as well. 

 

Practicing mindfulness meditation is one of the best ways to develop your appreciation of the little things in life, and improve your happiness and outlook not to mention the fact that frowning just speeds up development of wrinkles and fine lines!

 

Weight Train

 

A little jogging or cycling is good during any point of life, but in order to diminish the effects of aging, weight training is a must. Not only does muscle help you fill out your clothing, but it can also help prevent skin from sagging, wrinkling, or your posture from stooping. 

 

Nothing screams old like a hunched back and sagging skin, but luckily, weight lifting can delay this for years to come, not only that, but your overall mobility will be kept in check, and you will look great, so hit the weights!

The Biggest Loser Diet: What You Need To Know

 

Almost everyone in America is familiar with the television weight-loss show The Biggest Loser. Many people may not be familiar with their diet program. This article will give you the 411 on everything you need to know about The Biggest Loser Diet. 

Follows A Diet Protocol

 

The Biggest Loser Diet follows a specific diet protocol that they call “The Biggest Loser’s 4-3-2-1 Pyramid. This pyramid allows a participant four servings of fruits and vegetables, three lean protein servings, two whole grain servings and one discretionary calorie allotment of 200 calories.

 

They also want you eating 5-6 times per day. The theory that The Biggest Loser proposes is that you will keep your hunger and blood sugar level by eating frequently. 

 

On this diet, you will avoid caffeine (coffee drinkers may want to stay away from this one). However, you are required to drink 6 – 8 glasses of water a day. 

 

The Good Points

 

We have to give it to The Biggest Loser they really are putting an emphasis on healthy servings of fruits and vegetables. Allowing four servings of each will help keep you full and gives you plenty of vitamins and minerals. 

 

The Not So Good

 

The Biggest Loser program stays away from fat. All the protein is lean. While this may be great for someone who is required to be on a very low-fat diet, such as those with high cholesterol or heart disease, many people may find the absence of fat hard to deal with. Fat increases satiety in those who are dieting especially when it comes from good sources like cold-water fish, nuts, avocados, and wild game.

 

In addition to being a very low-fat diet, this diet can cause you to dip below the 1200 calorie range on any given day. Eating below 1200 calories can cause nutrient deficiencies and even end up interfering with weight loss as the body may respond to perceived starvation, and react by hording calories. 

 

Will I Have To Exercise?

 

Absolutely. Exercise has always been a big part of The Biggest Loser brand, and they did not leave it out of their diet protocol either. The exercise can become problematic for those who end up eating on the low end of the calorie range, as you may not have enough fuel to run your body.

 

Consult a doctor for a recommended weight loss calorie target before eating under 1200 calories when exercising.

 

Is It Hard?

 

The hardest part about this diet protocol is the simple lack of calories. Some people may find themselves unsatisfied because of the lack of fat and the lack of caloric intake. When the body goes unsatisfied for long periods of time, you may end up overindulging (even when you didn’t mean to.)

 

If you like to eat frequently then this diet is right up your alley. The frequency that people are allowed to eat on The Biggest Loser Diet may make up for the lack of caloric intake and the lack of fat consumption.

 

For the average person, this diet is going to be difficult to maintain over a long term. If you enjoy the support offered up by The Biggest Loser program, then you may just need to increase your servings of grains and proteins until you get to a more realistic weight loss calorie intake. 

 

Does It Work?

 

Absolutely. If you follow the protocol set forth by The Biggest Loser, you will lose weight. It is a hard program to follow that requires high levels of exercise and low amounts of calories. Because of the combination of exercise and low caloric intake, you are sure to drop weight. 

 

Don’t be surprised though if you fail to lose weight as those on the television show do, and actually, such rapid weight loss is not typically recommended by experts, slow and steady ensure success for lasting weight loss control. Stick with your healthy eating and exercise and you will soon be on your way to a healthy weight. 

 

Stress Kills: Is Yours Out Of Control?

Stress is arguably one of the most silent killers on the planet, largely because people don’t realize something is going wrong, or they refuse to act on it. 

 

But why does stress contribute to so many aspects ill health, ultimately leading to death? 

 

It is because often it is untraceable. You may not realize you are suffering from stress overload. 

 

Interested to know if your stress is rapidly becoming out of control? Look for the following tell-tale signs:

 

Unexplained Aches And Pain About The Body

 

A little pain here and there is normal, and should be nothing to get worried over; but it can spell a worrying trend when it occurs too often. And this is the case with being overly stressed all the time. 

 

Muscular pains most commonly occur around the back, neck or shoulder areas, and may be attributed to poor sleep patterns, although it is not always the case. Medication to treat the pain many only yield temporary relief, and should not be relied upon as a long term solution.

 

Frequent Colds And Infections

 

One thing associated with high stress levels is the negative effect on immunity. Cortisol suppresses the immune system and leaves the body wide open to infection. This is especially troublesome during flu season, and necessitates that extra precautions be takes (such as increasing anti-oxidant food consumption). 

 

Poor Sleep Patterns

 

Insomnia is usually one of the first signs to appear when you are over-stressed, as cortisol does not work by itself. In fact, it recruits the neurochemicals adrenalin and noradrenalin, which enhance awareness, and energy levels. 

 

This is an important function in the mornings when you need that “get up and go” boost, but not at night when you should be unwinding. Use of heavy stimulant based supplements (such as with caffeine) too late at night will cause this to occur.

 

High Blood Pressure

 

High blood pressure involves multiple pathways all experiencing dysfunction for its development, with cortisol happy to oblige. High blood pressure in this case is precipitated by increases retention of water (which increases blood volume), faster heart rate, and blood vessel constriction. All these factors increase blood pressure, so care needs to be taken to manage cortisol and stress levels.

 

Loss Of Sex Drive

 

Both men and women require a normal level of testosterone to modulate sex drive, but this important hormone is suppressed when levels of the stress hormone cortisol are high. Cortisol and testosterone share a negatively inverse relationship, meaning that as one goes up, the other goes down. If this loss of sex drive occurs in a young person, who previously displayed normal behavior, it can be a clear indicator that individual is overstressed.

 

Frequent Outbursts Or Mood Swings

 

It can be hard to maintain a level head when stress levels are high, causing you to lash out to anyone who seemingly irritates you. This is not normal behavior, especially if the individual was previously very level headed. If it does occur, it may be best to reduce work load, and spend more time with family and loved ones in a bid to relax.

 

Depression Or Feelings Of Inadequacy

 

Stress can seriously affect your emotional well-being, especially since it can tear apart relationships with loved ones. You are likely to be irritable, picking fights, or feel pressured to perform. This can amount to depression, anxiety or feelings of disappointment. Depression is sometimes difficult to diagnose, especially in individuals who do not possess a strong support system.

 

Conclusion

 

If you find yourself experiencing one or more of the symptoms above with increasing frequency, it is time to take a step back from the burden you have placed on your shoulder. Sometimes, a short vacation, weekend getaway or just a simple trek in the great outdoors can do wonders for your wellbeing. 

 

Diet Pills: Friends Or Foes?

It’s important to state that there are times when a doctor will prescribe diet pills for certain patients; typically, this is done on a temporary basis and is highly regulated with a short term goal in sight. 

 

But for many people diet pills are not a solution and may actually cause more harm than good. Losing weight is meant to be a process and in order to sustain it, it is important to make profound habit changes that will propel long-term success. However, many people don’t understand this; they just want to shed all their excessive weight in the shortest time period. Therefore, instead of maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly, they turn to diet pills. 

 

For an individual who doesn’t have enough drive to commit to a physically active life or who just can’t stay away from junk food, diet pills may look like a magical solution. However, even if they do help you lose weight, they are still bad for you.

 

Various Products On The Market

 

There are numerous diet pills on the market, since a number of different companies manufacture them. The reason why so many companies are interested in making and selling them is because they don’t need to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration before putting them on the market. Since there are so many diet pills on the market, most companies choose to come up with the most “effective” formulas, so they end up putting some pretty unsafe ingredients into their products.

 

Even though a lot of people are aware that diet pills may cause them some health issues, they still continue using them, because they offer the easiest possible way to lose weight. Knowing that you could lose ten pounds just by taking a pill a day can be extremely health. However, you need to remember that even if you achieve your weight loss goals, you will encounter some other problems on the way.

 

Diet Pills Vary In The Way They Help You Lose Weight

 

Some will help decrease the amount of fat that you absorb from the food you consume, while others will significantly decrease your appetite. Then, there are also those diet pills that work by increasing the number of calories you burn.

 

Harmful Side Effects

 

The problem with all of these diet pills is that they can cause some extremely harmful side effects, including high blood pressure, sleeplessness, kidney problems, increased heart rate, agitation, liver damage, and diarrhea. The longer you take diet pills, the more likely you are to experience these side effects. The main reason why they’re so harmful is because they contain stimulants that are harmful to your overall health, and especially your heart health.

 

On top of that, certain diet pills can contain antidepressants and amphetamines, making them very addictive. Since there’s a good chance that you may get addicted to them, it’s worth mentioning that you will be at higher risk of experiencing any of the previously mentioned side effects.

 

However, that’s not even the worst thing about diet pills. The sad truth is that most of them are ineffective, since they represent a combination of caffeine and other diuretics, which only cause water loss. Although you will see a lower number on the scale as a result of water loss, you should know that this is far from fat loss. The water weight can return very easily.

 

On top of all that, by taking diet pills, you will just avoid changing your life for the better. The reason why a lot of people never manage to reach their weight loss goals is because they fail to make profound and lasting eating and exercise habit changes. 

 

They think that taking pills to shave off a few pounds will help them get rid of their excess weight forever. However, in order to change how you look, you will need to change the way you live. The end goal shouldn’t just be weight loss – it should be living a healthier life. 

In addition, diet pills simply won’t make you healthier. They will only represent a temporary solution, and once you stop taking them, you will instantly go back to your initial weight and poor habits.

Assessing Your Need For Relaxation: Are You On The Verge Of Burnout

 

It is kind of obvious once you have hit burnout, the exhaustion, lack of motivation, poor efficacy, and overwhelming doubts of whether you should even be at your job are hard to miss. But, if you are not there yet, perhaps the symptoms aren’t as obvious. 

 

So what is burnout? Burnout is the result of too much stress either from your job, a life situation, or even your personality. In the simplest of terms, burnout is absolute exhaustion, physical, mental, and emotional. 

 

It is a combination of symptoms that cause you to be much less effective at work, less happy at home, and if left unchecked could cause your serious health complications. Burnout can leave you anxious, depressed, unmotivated, and ineffective. The list of symptoms can be vague and sound like just life, but life isn’t supposed to feel like burnout.

 

The first things you will notice looking for burnout are the causes. You will experience poor work-life balance, poor job fit, mismatched values, lack of control, or a dysfunctional work environment that wear on your peace of mind and your sanity. At first, it won’t seem like much we have all muscled through hectic times, made it through, and not suffered any consequences. 

 

Then, the symptoms hit. They creep in quietly and gradually as the enjoyment drips from your job and then your life. Perhaps just a general air of negativity and apathy towards your everyday activities. You might just feel stuck or indifferent. But, soon you lose sight of your values and your ability to focus; anxiety, depression, and insomnia set in as your mental faculties deteriorate from the weight of the stress. 

 

Scariest of all, if left unchecked your physical health can begin to take the brunt of the burnout. You may begin noticing weight gain, frequent illnesses, various bouts of pain, high blood pressure, and an increase in the severity of existing conditions. 

 

With burnout being something everybody would live better without, how do we prevent the mental turmoil and physical deterioration? 

 

If you are beginning to experience any of the symptoms of burnout, consider reassessing your interests, skills, and passions and compare against current options. If you have good options, to move within your company or career path, these changes will be the easiest to make and cause the least amount of stress. Identify and manage your stressors as best as you can. 

 

Another thing you can do to lessen the effects of burnout on your health and your life is keep your own attitude in check. Find gratitude and enjoyment in your job and life, it could be your lunch break or the drive home. Just find something you can enjoy and look forward to through your day so it doesn’t feel like the deep dark hole. Making a conscious effort to change your attitude may buy you the time to make a change. 

 

Reach out and gather support around you. Friends, family, co-workers, HR, and professional help can all help you through the difficulties associated with burnout and decrease symptoms like depression that make the experience so much worse. 

 

Lastly, take time for self-care, it isn’t selfish. Getting the time to relax, sleep, and exercise can be vital to curbing burnout before it starts. The required amount of sleep, 7-8 hours a night, can nip exhaustion in the bud and help your concentration. Exercise decreases pain and releases dopamine and serotonin to decrease depression and anxiety. 

 

Nobody wants to go in on Monday morning, but if you are feeling the effects of burnout and especially denying these feelings, you might need to assess your need to be proactive against burnout in your job and in life. 

Is Your Glass Half-Full Or Half Empty? How Positivity Can Change Your Life

 

Do you know what happy, successful people think about every day? It’s simple. They think about what they want and how they can get it. Positivity can change your life. 

 

When you spend your time thinking and talking about what you want from life and how you can achieve it, you will feel happier and more in control. When you think about happy things, your brain releases endorphins, which give you a feeling of well-being. It doesn’t take long to develop a positive attitude. 

 

The Importance of Optimism 

 

Psychological tests have shown that happy people have a specific quality that enables them to live a better life. That quality, of course, is optimism. If you’re groaning at the thought of such positivity, because you worry that you can’t become an optimist, then stop right now. According to WebMD, optimism can be learned. It’s all about cause and effect. If you change your way of thinking and align it with optimists, you will start to feel happier and see results. 

 

The Happy Find The Good In The World

 

There are two distinct ways that optimists deal with the world, which sets them apart from the rest: 

 

• First, they remain focused on what they want, looking for ways to achieve it. They set clear goals and remain confident they will achieve them. 

• Second, in every difficult situation an optimist will look for the good. When something goes wrong, they determine what lesson or knowledge can be drawn from the situation. 

 

If you look for the good in someone or something then you will always find it, and in the looking, you will find yourself more cheerful. 

 

The Power Of Positive Thinking  

 

Optimists seek the lesson in every obstacle. They don’t get upset and look at where they can lay blame. They control their emotions and look at things logically. 

 

Positive thinking has several benefits to your life: 

 

• Motivation: Willpower and motivation come from a strong mind. Negative thoughts lead to negative actions. When you replace pessimism with optimism, you reshape your outlook. 

• Strong Relationships: Happiness attracts happiness, thus happy people attract people who are happy. If you surround yourself with negativity, you will only attract negativity. Positivity breeds trust, which builds strong relationships. Without trust, relationships cannot survive. We are hardwired to seek trust. 

• Confidence: Negativity spreads and can impact other attributes, such as self-esteem and confidence. The key to leading a happy life is loving yourself. Optimists laugh louder, love harder, and walk taller. They glow. 

• Strong Mind & Body: Negative thoughts are draining and can have a severe impact on your mental health. They can leave you struggling to get up in the morning and inhibit your ability to sleep. Fatigue leads to weakness, sadness, and a lack of motivation. Therefore, negativity takes a toll on your whole body.

 

Choose Happiness

 

You can make the choice today to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. Look at your blessings rather than noting every shortcoming. Look at the best in everyone around you, because in truth, the majority of people are honest and good. Look for the good in their actions and in their words, and resolve to be of good cheer. 

 

It’s easy to be upbeat when everything in your life is going well. However, it’s even more important to do so when everything is going against you or is falling apart. You can still draw from your inner strength and look on the bright side of life, it will pay off in spades.

 

5 Effective Ways To Stay On Track With Weight Loss

Many people would love to lose 5 pounds, but there are those who need to lose, as much as 30, 50, or even 100 pounds. A journey like that is not short nor is it easy and often includes ups, downs, plateaus, and setbacks. 

 

So how can it be accomplished? You’ve seen the stories of heroic triumphs plastered across the Internet, social media, talk shows, and infomercials, the ones with amazing headlines such as, “Amazing Mom with 5 Kids Finds Time to Hit the Gym” or “Spectacular 100 Pound Weight-loss With Common Sense Tactics.”

 

These are not miracles, these people did not find a magic pill, they used sensible tactics to reach their goals. 

 

Treat Yourself as a Human

 

To err is human. The truth is willpower is not an endless supply of magic beans; you run out and at some point, fall off the wagon. You will find a stressful situation you can’t seem to manage. You may binge while you are all by yourself or in front of everybody at a celebration.

 

The key is to forgive yourself. Know that it happens to everybody and one bad day doesn’t mean you are failing or that you have worked for all this time for no reason. A cheat day or wavering in your willpower means you are human. Be prepared and expect it, they key is to move on and get back on track immediately. 

 

Set Manageable Goals

 

A 50 or 100 pound loss while impressive is not by any means unattainable, but reaching goals renews your motivation. If you want to keep your weight loss on track, break it down into bite-sized nuggets. 

 

Plan to lose about 5 to 10 pounds a month (as about a one to two pound loss each week is considered healthy and sustainable weight loss). Anything more than that, is a celebration. Anything less is still a victory. The important part is you are setting manageable goals with healthy ideas about what your body is most likely capable of supporting. 

 

Find A Buddy

 

Weight loss in particular is easier when you decide not to go it alone. A workout buddy is a big help. You can diet at home with your spouse, join a weight loss app or program, and hire a nutritionist or a physical trainer. The bigger your support group the more people’s energy you have to draw on and the more consistently you feed off that energy and comradery the better off you will be. 

Break the Plateaus 

 

Wow, you are doing the work and it is really paying off you have lost 10, 15, even 25 pounds. You keep things going, but you can’t seem to shake anymore. It all stops working, the diet, the cardio, the strength training seems to stop being of any value. Your journey has plateaued and you find yourself a little bit hopeless all over again. 

 

Power through a plateau by getting out of your rut. Often in weight loss, we find ourselves in routines for workout and food. Changing your routine by taking an extra or different workout class, adding strength session to your week or adjust your protein ratio. Shocking your system is one of the most effective ways to work through a plateau.

 

Make Your Biggest Changes Small Ones

 

The best ways to make your weight loss stick involve small sustainable changes you don’t really notice. Flavored waters instead of soda during the day and with meals, smaller plates when you eat, skipping dessert, or eating a little fruit instead of cake are all small sustainable changes to keep your weight loss on track. Most important, these profound habit changes ensure long-term weight loss success. 

 

The best changes, the ones that make the most difference are the ones you can stick to for longer than the 6-12 weeks of your weight loss plan. 

5 Tips For Seniors To Avoid Falls

 

You probably have an older relative that has suffered some type of injury from a fall. This shouldn’t surprise you, considering the fact that falls are actually the leading cause of both nonfatal and fatal injuries in individuals who’re 65 or older. 

 

Falls can often result in broken bones, head injuries, and hip fractures. However, it’s also worth noting that falling can make an older adult more fearful, thus preventing them from being active as much as they should be.

 

Even though most people feel safe at home, most falls occur where you live. Some of the most common causes of falls include rickety stairs, slippery floors, and electrical cords. If you have an aging parent or an older relative in your life, you need to make sure that their home is safe for them. 

 

On top of that, you should also talk to them and explain how they could reduce their risk of falling. Simply by convincing them to let go of their fear, you can make the elders in your life remain healthy and independent. Here are 5 great tips that can help your elders avoid falls.

 

Talk About Their Current Health Conditions

 

The first step that you need to take is to see if your older loved one is experiencing any problems with their health. Poor health is what often leads to falling. As people grow older, they tend to lose their balance, coordination, and flexibility. 

 

On top of that, their vision also gets impaired. That’s exactly why you need to know if anything is preventing them from functioning properly and if their health could potentially increase the risk of them falling. After talking to them about their current health conditions, make sure to see if they’ve left anything untreated. If so, encourage them to visit their doctor as soon as possible.

 

Staying In The Moment

 

The elderly shouldn’t let their mind wander if they’re feeling insecure about their walking. For example, walking up and down the stairs is exactly where most people fall, which is why you need to stay in the moment when doing this. 

 

Always make sure to look around you and see if there are any obstacles in front of you. When climbing up or down the stairs, make sure to use railings whenever they are available. If you ever get dizzy while on the stairs, make sure to tightly hold on to the railing and take a deep breath.

 

Stop Rushing

 

You should never be in a hurry. Taking it step by step is the only way to ensure that you don’t fall. You don’t have a job, so you have all the free time in the world. This means that there is no reason for you to rush at any given moment. However long it takes you, you should always be walking calmly.

 

Enlist The Help Of A Physical Therapist

 

You should always check to see if there is a need to enlist the help of a physical therapist. If you’re holding onto furniture, walls, or other objects in your house while walking, then it’s the perfect time to start seeing a trained physical therapist. 

 

Through exercise, a physical therapist can help improve your strength and balance. It’s also a good idea to get a cane or a walker, as they will provide you with more stability than random objects in your home.

 

Light It Right

 

If you have an older loved one that you care about, then you should make sure to do everything in your power to make sure their home is a safe environment for them. One of the best things you can do to help them avoid falling is to install brighter light bulbs where needed.

5 Ways Eating Whole Foods Serves Your Health

If you’re looking for a way to stay healthy, decrease the risk of suffering from some serious diseases, and slow down the process of ageing, then you should eat more whole foods. Whole foods are the foods closest to their natural state, which means that they contain much more nutrients than processed foods. Of course, it’s incredibly hard to make your diet consist of whole foods only, but you should strive to make them the majority of the food you consume.

 

Whole foods can be unprocessed vegetable, fruits, beans, seeds, nuts, legumes, whole grains, seafood, fish, eggs, red meat, and poultry. Now, most people know that whole foods are healthier, but don’t want to spend too much money on them, since they are slightly more expensive.

 

However, just take a moment to think about how health is important and if you truly need all the processed snacks and sweets that you buy on a regular basis. It’s a much better idea to simply visit your local farmers’ market and buy the nutrient-packed whole foods.

 

In case you need to be convinced to start eating whole foods, here are 5 ways they contribute to your well-being.

 

Lower Risk Of Diabetes

 

According to Mercola.com, a diet that involves a lot of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits significantly lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In case you are already suffering from this disease, know that you too will feel better if you follow a diet based on whole foods.

 

A Stop To Nutrient Shortages

 

WebMD notes that a survey about eating habits was conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, and the results they found were shocking. A huge amount of people didn’t have proper nutrient intake. In fact, 92-97% of the population that participated in the survey didn’t consume enough potassium and fiber, while a third of the people didn’t consume a sufficient amount of vitamin C.

 

However, these nutrients help reduce the risk of some serious diseases and are very important for your overall health. So, what should people do when they simply don’t get enough nutrients from the food they eat? Start consuming whole foods. All of these nutrient shortages can be fixed by following a diet filled with healthy, whole foods.

 

Fiber

 

Most whole plant-based foods are extremely rich in fiber, while processed and junk foods aren’t. Fiber is a very important nutrient that improves your health in numerous ways. For example, it helps you fight diabetes, heart disease, it helps you feel full faster, and it keeps the GI tract moving.

 

Whole foods are a much better way to increase your fiber intake, since they contain both types of it (insoluble and soluble). Eating foods that are rich in fiber will also help control your weight, blood fats, and blood sugar.

 

Weight Management

 

If you want to keep your weight under control, but don’t feel like going on some extreme diet, then you’ll be pleased to hear that eating whole foods promotes healthy weight management, especially if you choose to eat mostly whole vegetables and fruits. These foods contain very little calories, so you won’t have to worry about counting them.

 

More Energy

 

There is a simple explanation why whole foods will provide you with more energy. When you eat something, your body has to break down that food. However, processed foods are difficult to break down, so a lot of the energy they have to offer will actually go into the processing of breaking it down. On the other hand, it’s not a challenge for your body to break down whole foods, so you will be left with a lot of unused energy.

 

Final Idea: Add Healthy Fish And Seafood Dishes To Your Diet

 

The delicious goodies that come from deep waters yield multiple benefits. Here is why you should add seafood delicacies to your diet:

 

The omega -3 fatty acids in cold water fish, such as salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel and herring reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and/or heart attack. You can get these from fish oil capsules on the market today but why not get it directly from actual seafood?

 

Nutrients in fish and seafood help protect your skin against the damaging effects of ultra violet rays. Fish oil also helps reduce acne breakouts. 

 

Eating fish helps boost fetal growth and development, and may reduce chances of delivering prematurely.

 

Shrimp is very low in calories; in fact, 6 large grilled or steamed shrimp have only 155 calories and about 20 grams of protein! 

 

There are very many seafood options to choose from, whichever you prefer, you will reap all the fishy goodness from it.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Consider what you are eating every day and that diet is your best chance for living a longer and healthier life.