Do You Eat Healthy?

Eating is defined by Webster as “consuming food”. The dictionary also says that eating is a process of feeding, whereas digestion is the process of breaking down food into small parts so that the food can be digested easily. Eat and digestion are the two processes that define the eating process.

One of the primary factors which affect the way we eat is our diet, or more correctly, our nutritional intake. Our body needs a well balanced diet in order to maintain its health and therefore eating is essential for the human race. If you were not eating a healthy diet you would quickly become overweight or suffer from a number of other medical problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. In this article I will explain some of the healthiest foods and why they should be included in everyone’s daily eating plan. I hope that this will help you get started on a healthier path towards a long and healthy life.

One of the healthier foods on the market at the moment is the fruit. Fresh fruit such as oranges, bananas, apples, pears and even melons should form a part of your daily diet. Some of the other fruits that are equally beneficial include the softer fruits such as melons and grapes. These softer fruits have a lower glycemic index than most other fruits, making them ideal for those people who are watching their blood sugar levels. The type of fruit you eat also has an effect upon your health because some fruits have been shown to aid in the reduction of cholesterol in the body. There are several different varieties of fruits that are particularly beneficial including blueberries, strawberries, plums and pineapples.

Legumes are another one of the healthiest foods on the market. If you were to cook with just about any other type of starch you are placing unnecessary amounts of unnecessary fat and calories in your diet. One of the healthiest forms of starch is whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, oats and millet. You can eat eggs on occasion but make sure that you eat them in the raw form to get the most nutritional benefit. Other good choices of whole grains include wheat berries and prunes.

Low-fat milk products are an important part of a diet, if you suffer from a chronic disease or diabetes. Many people choose to add low-fat milk to their diets but there are also healthy alternatives such as soy milk and almond or coconut milk. Another beneficial ingredient of whole grains is protein, which can be found in meats such as turkey, chicken, liver, fish and lentils; beans such as black beans and chickpeas; and whole grain cereal like brown rice, corn and oat bran.

Another thing you should absolutely avoid are foods that are high in saturated fats. These include anything that is deep fried or has vegetable oil added to it. It is also recommended that you avoid consuming any beverage that has added sugar such as sports drinks and sweetened beverages. Even plain water should be treated with caution because some high-sugar beverages have been known to cause hypoglycemia. If you do drink any caffeinated beverages, limit your consumption to only one or two cups a day or drink in moderation because they can also raise blood sugar levels and cause erratic behavior.