Are you getting everything you need in your diet to ensure that you are healthy? And are you making sure that the foods you feed your family are healthy ones that are rich in the nutrients we all must have in our diets? Sadly, there are millions of people all over the United States who are not following a healthy diet and because they are not, they encourage their children not to either, whether they realize it or not. Being healthy begins with healthy eating and healthy eating begins at home. You need to be aware of which foods are healthy and which foods you should not be feeding your family, at least on a regular or even a semi-regular basis. The occasional treat is fine, as long as you do not go overboard.
What Should Be in a Healthy Diet?
There are certain nutrients that everyone should be getting from their diets and these nutrients work to keep the body strong and healthy. The three macronutrients that we all must have are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Yes, we hear all kinds of terrible things about carbohydrates and fats, but we need to have certain amounts of them in our bodies, and they need to be good carbohydrates and fats, not the ones that are so bad for us. With carbohydrates, avoid those that come from sugar sources, which are simple carbohydrates and go for the ones that come from healthy sources such as whole grains, which are the complex carbohydrates. When it comes to fats, avoid saturated or trans fats, but do eat foods that have polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, which are healthy and needed by our bodies.
Protein can come from a number of dietary sources and it is necessary for just about every function of our bodies. Our muscles rely on protein for growth and recovery and without enough protein, we would not have healthy hair, skin, or nails. And protein is a natural source of energy. When you are planning your healthy diet, make sure that there are plenty of high protein foods in it. Some of the delicious, healthy high protein foods that you can include in your diet include whole grains, brown rice, soy, lean red meat, low or non-fat dairy products, poultry, and fish.
Should You Be on a High Protein Diet?
There are many different types of diet plans you can follow and a lot of people are using diets that are low in carbohydrates and high in protein. These diets are all right for a little while, but often they do not provide enough of the other nutrients we should be getting from our diets. There are many reasons why people use diets that are high protein and low carbohydrate. When done properly and the right foods are eaten, they can be used to promote weight loss. And a high protein diet is popular with people who are into weight training and are looking to gain weight, in the form of muscle. If you are unsure whether or not you need to be getting more protein in your diet, or need to be on a high protein diet, you should consult your physician, who will be able to help you create a diet plan that will work for your health and your lifestyle.
The Downside to High Protein Diets
Even though it is important to get enough protein in our diets, it is just as important to try not to get too much protein in our diets, which can cause such health problems as gall stones and kidney stones. And when you are eating a high protein diet, you will be eating a lot of foods that are high in fat and calories, so this type of diet may not be the answer if you are trying to lose weight. Not only is it likely that you will gain weight on a high protein diet, it also puts you at risk for developing a number of other health conditions, because of the fat in the diet. Some of the things that you need to watch out for if your diet is one that is high in protein are high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. Obesity is another issue and any one of these health problems can lead to death if you do not take care of yourself and change your diet so that it is not a high protein one. If you still want to have a diet that provides plenty of protein, there are all kinds of tasty foods that contain the protein you need, but are not fattening.
What to Do When Your Diet Doesn’t Provide Enough Protein
If you are not following a particular diet and are making up your own diet plan, you may not be including enough of the right nutrients, including protein. Or, there may be times when you feel the need to have a treat and eat things that are just not part of a normal healthy diet. When these things happen, you will need to take steps to make sure that you are still getting all of the nutrition your body needs to be healthy and strong. You can add certain foods to your diet, or, you can start using protein supplements, which also make excellent meal replacements for people who are trying to lose weight.
Depending on your particular needs, there are all kinds of different types of protein supplements for you to choose from. If you want to make your own meal replacements, you can make smoothies and shakes from fresh ingredients that you know are totally healthy and loaded with all kinds of nutritional value. Or, you can buy shakes that are already made and can be purchased at a number of stores. These are convenient, as they are small and portable and can be taken with you anywhere.