Everyone has heard the phrase 'we are what we eat,' and it's true. Food provides the body with the energy and nutrients necessary for learning, working, and playing. This means that a nutritionally complete diet is an essential part of everyone's life, and the following is an outline of what a complete nutrition system does and how to get it.
Nourish the Body and Mind
Following a complete nutrition system nourishes both the body and mind. This improves your overall health and boosts your productivity. Some healthy foods that you should include in your daily meals are:
- Fresh fruits
- Fresh Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Lean proteins
These foods provide all the essential nutrients for a healthy system. It's important to know that naturally grown food products are richer in nutrients than genetically modified ones. It's also good to eat locally available fruits and vegetables that are in season. This will be a lot better than eating imports, not to mention the sustainability of doing so. It's easier to verify the source of local foodstuffs than imported ones, another reason why it's good to shop locally.
If for any reason, it is difficult for you to naturally get a balanced diet, you should consider taking supplements. However, note that supplements should never replace eating a healthy diet, but they should simply complement one. For instance, it is important for people who are 50 years and older to take an Omega-3 supplement daily to make sure they are getting enough of it.
Foods to avoid
There are foods that you need to avoid while planning for a complete nutrition system. These are those that provide empty calories, simply filling the body up for a moment while not contributing to the long-term good of the body. Fast foods are the main culprits here as they are full of highly processed sugars, fats, and other compounds with low nutritional value. Some of these foods are:
- Sweets and cake
- Refined grains
- Sodas and other soft drinks
- Red and processed meats
- Alcohol
- Deep fried foods that almost always have trans fats
Some of these foods not only give empty calories, but they also lead to other issues. Alcohol, for instance, degrades the liver when consumed often and in large amounts. Sugary foods cause cavities and other oral issues, also potentially disrupting sleep patterns. Remember, healthy eating revitalizes your body and mind, enabling you to live a healthy and wholesome, life.