A Healthy Body and Mind Require a Nutritious Diet

Some of the many benefits of eating a nutritious diet include a longer life expectancy and increased physical fitness. By taking the few easy steps in this article you can be in great shape

Green leafy vegetables are very beneficial as they are high in some of the nutrients your body needs most. Broccoli and brussels sprouts belong to the cruciferous family of vegetables, and are known to be helpful in preventing many types of cancer. Broccoli is also high in vitamin C, a vitamin which supports the immune system.

Fruits have an abundant supply of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Most fruits are high in water content and any cholesterol they contain is the good kind. Nutritionists recommend you consume four or five servings of fruit each day, and the raw kind is the best. Apples are a great fruit to eat. They provide vitamins A, C, E and folate along with a good amount of fiber. Eating apples can reduce your risk of colon, lung and prostate cancer as well as prevent heart disease by controlling weight and cholesterol.

When you are looking for whole-wheat products, also look for products which specify they are whole grain. If you see 100 percent whole wheat on the label, that usually means whole wheat flour is used and it is not really whole grain. Whole grains are nutrient dense with more fiber, complex carbohydrates and vitamins.

Sugar and fat are only minimally necessary in your diet. You are probably getting way too much already, so cut down or eliminate any bakery, deep fried foods and sugar sweetened drinks. Most of these items are categorized as empty calories and provide very little nutrition while causing weight gain.

Hydration is a very important part of good nutrition. Water keeps your digestive system working properly and flushes dangerous toxins from your body. The rule of thumb is to drink eight 8 ounces glasses of water each day, but drinking more than that is a good thing if you are exercising or perspiring heavily.

Avoid fat as much as possible by eating only lean cuts of meat. Chicken breast meat, lean pork and fish are the most healthy meats to eat. Look for grass fed beef products because this meat is very lean and does not have chemical residue from feed additives.

Yogurt makes a great snack, especially if it is the low fat natural kind. Greek yogurt has gained popularity with its low calorie count along with being high in protein. Nuts are also a great snack and will quickly satisfy the between-meal hungries. Steer clear of high fat nuts such as cashews and macadamia nuts.

The processed foods available do not contain the full supply of the nutrients they once did. The only way to offset this is to take a broad spectrum daily multivitamin. Make sure it also contains minerals as well as vitamins.

It is essential that you get all the nutrients your body needs to perform at its full potential. Use the information in this article to make sure your mind and body are the best they can be.