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Nutrition data is readily available; for instance, you can access federal guidelines issued for public information and read the labels on food packages. Online sites and books of advice abound. There is more information than anyone can absorb. Both conventional and alternative views vie for attention and the money that consumers spend on food and supplements.
If you are a beginner, the federal guidelines will provide a basic understanding of good versus bad fats, how much protein is recommended, what vitamins and minerals are essential, and how much fiber is needed on a daily basis. Most experts feel that a balanced diet of whole foods is the proper foundation for health and well-being.
After you gain a basic understanding, you will want to remember that we are not all alike. "Whole foods'" can mean lots of whole wheat bread, whole grains, and nuts for one person, while another may have a sensitivity to wheat and an allergy to tree nuts. A person who loves meat might get adequate protein but not enough vitamins and minerals, while a vegetarian could be lacking in protein.
If a person has a sensitivity or an allergy to certain foods, they will probably be unable to absorb nutrients from that food. In fact, a severe case can mean that a person can eat a lot but actually suffer from malnutrition. Some processed food has too much sodium, an overload of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and are loaded with fat or sugar.
It is important to know what is in your food, where it comes from, and how fresh it is. Vitamins may break down over long periods of shipping or of sitting on a shelf, and minerals can be lost during preparation - such as in canned vegetables or soups. Fresh local produce may be a better choice, but it is still important to know how it was grown and prepared for market.
You will find experts - many of them medical doctors - who advocate lots of good fat, almost no fat at all, complex carbohydrates as the basic food group, low-carb and high-protein diets, fruit only, vegetables only, or who say that you can eat anything you want if you exercise enough. The trick is to find out what works for you, create a program that builds health and fosters ideal weight, and stick to it.
The best thing you can do is to find reputable sources of nutrition data, experiment with the advice, and see what works best for you. It is important to decide on a balanced diet that gives you all the nutrients you need from foods that work with your digestive system and metabolism. Don't be discouraged; the subject is interesting and it is possible to find your way through the maze.
If you are a beginner, the federal guidelines will provide a basic understanding of good versus bad fats, how much protein is recommended, what vitamins and minerals are essential, and how much fiber is needed on a daily basis. Most experts feel that a balanced diet of whole foods is the proper foundation for health and well-being.
After you gain a basic understanding, you will want to remember that we are not all alike. "Whole foods'" can mean lots of whole wheat bread, whole grains, and nuts for one person, while another may have a sensitivity to wheat and an allergy to tree nuts. A person who loves meat might get adequate protein but not enough vitamins and minerals, while a vegetarian could be lacking in protein.
If a person has a sensitivity or an allergy to certain foods, they will probably be unable to absorb nutrients from that food. In fact, a severe case can mean that a person can eat a lot but actually suffer from malnutrition. Some processed food has too much sodium, an overload of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and are loaded with fat or sugar.
It is important to know what is in your food, where it comes from, and how fresh it is. Vitamins may break down over long periods of shipping or of sitting on a shelf, and minerals can be lost during preparation - such as in canned vegetables or soups. Fresh local produce may be a better choice, but it is still important to know how it was grown and prepared for market.
You will find experts - many of them medical doctors - who advocate lots of good fat, almost no fat at all, complex carbohydrates as the basic food group, low-carb and high-protein diets, fruit only, vegetables only, or who say that you can eat anything you want if you exercise enough. The trick is to find out what works for you, create a program that builds health and fosters ideal weight, and stick to it.
The best thing you can do is to find reputable sources of nutrition data, experiment with the advice, and see what works best for you. It is important to decide on a balanced diet that gives you all the nutrients you need from foods that work with your digestive system and metabolism. Don't be discouraged; the subject is interesting and it is possible to find your way through the maze.
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