Health Tips
Cut out the bad fat in your diet:
I hear people talking about Trans Fats in our diets, what is Trans Fats?
America is obese. In our hurried world, fast food has become an essential part of our lives but has done the most damage. Basically, Trans fats are made when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil--a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats. Trans Fats have been a common culprit in our fast foods and now the restaurants are making changes to take the Trans Fats out of their foods. Some foods may still obtain a certain percentage of Trans fats in them and when eating several foods with a low percentage of Trans fats, this eventually adds up. Learn how to read your food labels and while dining out, ask for their menu nutritional list for the restaurant so that you can become more aware of what you really are eating.
Reduce Stress:
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Do you have stress or anxiety?
Stress prompts the body to raise its output of adrenaline and cortisol which causes changes in blood pressure, heart rate and your metabolism. An anxiety symptom includes fatigue, insomnia, stomach problems, sweating, racing heart, rapid breathing, shortness of breath and irritability. Dietary changes and supplementation may help. Find ways to reduce your stress or anxiety. It has been proven that stress hurts our health in many ways. Learn to take the time to relax and do an activity that you enjoy. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible. If you are stuck in traffic, listen to a favorite CD or an audible book. Try soaking in a tub and relax. Focus on the positive things in your life as much as possible and spend time with those you care about. Learn to laugh. It’s true what they say, “Laughter is the best medicine.”
Buy Organic:
Everyone is talking about buying organic. What are the benefits of buying organic?
As more people become educated about food, pesticides, and the environment, more people are buying organic products. Good health depends on good nutrition, what we eat and drink contributes to our health. Most of the foods we eat are produced using artificial fertilizers, and pesticides to mass produce a product. Millions of consumers now purchase organic products regularly. Organic options are available for almost every category of food today including pet food. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Choose only foods that are carrying the USDA Organic symbol on them. This way you can be sure it is truly organic.
Get enough sleep:
Are you hitting the snooze alarm every morning? Do you need a nap during the day?
Early to bed, early to rise? This may not be the best advice for a lot of us. People are physically different so therefore have different requirements for sleep. Some people are morning people and some are evening people. If you find yourself feeling drowsy in the afternoon, it’s not the “after lunch” result that makes you want to take a nap but it is perhaps because you are not getting enough adequate sleep in the evening or waking up too early. Try sleeping in an extra hour in the morning or take a quick 20 minute nap in the afternoon. This should help you feel more energized.
Taking supplements to boost your health:
I try to eat a good diet, should I take supplements?
Eating a good diet made up of fiber, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats and low fat diary may not be enough. People are lacking some of the nutrients they need in their diet. Are you feeling stressed? Do you get colds often? Do you smoke? Do you have osteoporosis? What types of diseases are common in your family? Taking supplements and vitamins is a good and simple way to ensure that you are getting enough nutrients in your diet. It is important to remember that taking supplements is not a replacement for the food in your diet. You will still need to maintain a proper healthy diet along with exercise to ensure a healthy lifestyle.