Many of us are proactive in trying to live a healthy life, but this is so much easier said than done. After all, there’s so much information out there to choose from; it can be hard to know whether the steps you’re taking are right, wrong, causing you more harm than good, or anything in between.
Today, we aim to give you the straight-up facts you need to know. These are ten leading nutrition facts that you can look for and apply in your own life to see whether you’re doing what’s right by your body and well-being or highlighting whether there some changes that need to be made. Let’s jump straight into it.
1. Vegetables are Good for You
Let’s start simple with our nutrition facts. Fresh, unprocessed, wholesome foods are very good for you. We’re talking vegetables and fruits that have minimal work done to them and come straight out of the ground and onto your plate in an instant. If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, this is the best way to start being healthy.
2. Added Sugar is Bad for You
There’s no doubt about it; if the food you’re eating has added sugar in it, it’s going to be doing you more harm than good. Sugar is added to processed foods to improve the taste, and while it tastes nice, it can contribute to adding weight, increasing fat, and increasing your risk of diabetes, among a wealth of other risks.
3. You Need Vitamin D
Vitamin D acts like a hormone within the body and is used to counter cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and so much more. The easiest way to get vitamin D is to get outside and catch some sunlight. The truth is, with our office and home-based lives, this is easier said than done.
4. Omega-3 is Essential; You Need It
So many people don’t get enough Omega-3 fatty acids in their diets, and it’s taking its toll on the nation’s health. After all, your brain is made up of around 10-20% of Omega-3, so if you’re not eating it, your brain isn’t getting it. Low omega-3 also contributes to lower IQ, heart disease, and increased risk of depression.
5. Avoid Trans Fats
Trans fats can be found everywhere these days, typically when vegetable fats are hydrogenated, such as the fats used in margarine. Trans fats are commonly linked with poor health conditions, such as heart disease, inflammation, and obesity, so you’re better off avoiding them at all costs. Real food simply has far more trace nutrients that your body needs.
6. Lifestyle Changes are Better than Diets
While there are plenty of diet programs out there, the truth is that diets aren’t really that effective. Sure, you might get short-term results, but it’s far better to change your lifestyle and monitor your eating. This means exercise regularly, moving about a lot more, and developing other healthy habits.
7. Real Food is Better than Supplements
It’s okay to take supplements if you’re missing something from your diet, and you want to bring it back, but remember that you can’t live off supplements, and it’s always going to be better to eat real, honest food over being lazy and just eating pills.
8. (Refined) Carbs aren’t Great
There’s a wealth of data out there about carbs and fats being bad for you, some of it true, some of it false. However, while carbs are essential in your diet, refined carbs are not so great. Unrefined carbs are wholesome are good for. This means foods like cereal bars and vegetables and fruits, but when refined, or processed, these foods lose their goodness and keep the bad bits, such as lacking in fiber with is good for your diet.
9. Stick with Unprocessed Foods
Just to reiterate, the more unprocessed your food is, the better it will be for you. Sure, all the cakes and fancy pizzas and takeaway meals look and taste nice, but the truth is that they are so bad for you. Sticking with wholesome, unprocessed foods is always, without a doubt, the best way to go.
10. Everyone is Different
While there’s a ton of information out there to listen to and read about dieting and living well, it’s important to remember that everyone is different, and our bodies are unique. What’s good for one person may not be good for you, so make sure you’re looking after yourself and figuring out what works for you and your body. Have health checkups to understand what changes you need to make in your own life.
Summary
Take a look at these facts and apply them to your own life. With all this knowledge and information, you should now be able to make the best decisions possible in your own life, ensuring you can become as happy, active, and as healthy as possible. After all, you only get one life, so look after yourself!
