Life's Soundtrack: The Intricacies Of Healthy Eating

Forty percent of total calories consumed by the average person can be termed as “empty calories”. These are calories such as sugary sweets, grain desserts, sodas, and fruit drinks¹.

Healthy eating is often ignored because it is not as exciting as grabbing a quick snack from your local convenience store. Why eat vegetables when you can eat a bag of chips? Why drink water when you can consume a bottle of Pepsi?

It happens all the time.

These decisions have a profound impact on a person's life, and it can lead to consequences that are dire.

Let's understand the importance of healthy eating and how to go about it according to nutritionists.

What is Healthy Eating?

Defining “healthy eating” is a good place to commence this read.

Healthy eating is the idea of meeting all nutritional requirements based on established standards as proclaimed by the government. This includes meeting protein, dairy, and veggie intake. It also involves the amount of calcium being consumed.

There is an established requirement for how many glasses of water are consumed per day as well.

All of this comes together under the umbrella of healthy eating.

Benefits

What are the advantages of following these nutritional requirements that have been set by the federal government? Is it necessary or just an added benefit that can be followed if desired?

The benefits begin with good health. It has an impact on how your major organs are doing along everything else (i.e. hair, skin, teeth). Those who eat well are less likely to have troubles early on in their lives.

Another benefit can be seen in the form of an increase in energy. Many of the “empty calories” being consumed these days sap away at one's energy reserves. They are draining and not good for the body at all. It is best to avoid them as much as possible.

It is also easier to sleep at night when the right foods are being consumed throughout the day. It leads to a sense of being organized with each meal. There is less guesswork involved when healthy eating requirements are being followed to a tee.

Those who are not doing this are never able to benefit from the value on offer.

It is a must to eat well and eat often at the same time. Starvation is never equated with healthy eating, in fact, that would be the exact opposite of what is correct. This is why healthy eating is the way to get fitter as desired.

Building The Perfect Eating Plan

So, what does an individual have to consider while building the perfect eating plan in this day and age? What are the core requirements?

The perfect eating plan has to follow a particular set of standards as laid out by some of the finest nutritionists in the world.

Here are some of the core components:

1. 8-10 glasses of water (minimum)
2. 50 grams of protein (meat, lentils)
3. 90 grams of sugar (fruits, not processed sugars)
4. 310 grams of carbohydrates
5. 3 services of dairy products (calcium)
6. 2 servings of fruits (minimum)
7. Minimal Use Of Oils And Fatty Acids (Sparingly)

These are some of the core components associated with a perfect eating plan. It is a must to understand you have a lot of leeway with what foods are being consumed as long as these requirements are met. You are not restricted to specific fruits, vegetables, and meats. As long as you are eating well, you are eating right.

These are the intricacies of healthy eating and what it can do for the body as long as you are focused and willing to pay attention.

View References

• ¹ President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition - Facts & Statistics
  http://www.fitness.gov/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Fats and sugars: know your limits
  http://www.choosemyplate.gov/preschoolers-empty-calories
• Australian Food and Grocery Council - Daily Intake Levels Guide
  http://www.mydailyintake.net/daily-intake-levels/