Facts About Nutrition Labels

The nutrition label located on each and every food item, will tell you all the information about that food. For some however, this information isn’t exactly that reader friendly. Fear not, as it’s actually easier than you
think.

Serving Size
This size is based on the amount people eat. Similar food items will have similar serving sizes, thus making it easier to compare 2 foods of the same category.

% Daily Value
This indicates how food will fit in a 2,000 calorie diet. This will help you to understand if the food has a lot, or just a little of the important nutrients.

The middle section
The nutrients you’ll find listed in the middle section are the ones that are most important to your health. This information can help you to calculate your daily limit of fat, fiber, sodium, and other nutrients.

Vitamins & minerals
The percent daily value found here is the exact same as the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamins and minerals.

Now that you know what the nutrition label actually means, it’ll be a lot easy to eat healthy. Eating healthy is a great thing – especially when you use the nutrition label to assist you with your food choices.

Healthy Fat Intake

This information is aimed at helping you to reduce your fat intake. The average individual eats too much fat, a factor that’s linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer. Diets that are high in fat are associated with breast and colon cancer, with some studies linking high fat to prostate cancer as well.

A majority of people can bring their fat intakes down to a healthy range by making a few adjustments in the way they shop, cook, and prepare the foods they eat.

Now days, it’s getting easier and easier to control the amount of fat you consume. The fat content of foods are now available through the nutrition label and through brochures distributed by food companies and even fast food restaurants.

You can use this information on nutrition to choose lower fat foods by comparing products and food brands. Once you have a rough idea of what a healthy intake of fat is, you’ll know what you can and what you can’t have.

From day to day, the amount of fat you eat will vary. Some meals and some days will be higher in
fat than others. Even high fat meals can be kept in line with healthy eating as long as you balance
those days accordingly. The average fat intake over the course of weeks and months is important, not the
fat intake of every meal and food you consume.

Younger adults and high active adults who have higher calorie needs can probably eat a little more
fat. Older adults and those that aren’t very active should aim for a lower fat intake. This way, you
can control your fat intake and avoid the many problems that fat is associated with.

Eating Healthy When Eating Out

If you go out to a restaurant to eat, you probably
watch your calories very closely. To assist you
with your calorie watching when dining out, these
tips will help you make the most of it.

- Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side, as this way you have control over how much you add
to your meal.

- When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you should ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared with very little or either or.

- Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the lookout for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based
sauces. Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted
as a vegetable!

- You should always try to drink water, diet soda, or tea instead of soda or beverages that contain
alcohol.

- If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half of the dessert will equal half of the calories.

- When you choose a soup, remember that cream based soups are higher in fat and calories than
other soups. A soup can be a great appetizer, as most are low in calories and you fill you up pretty
fast.

- When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon. Salsa
is very low in calories and provides a healthy alternative with plenty of flavor and spice.

- When you are full, stop eating. Listen to your body and what it tells you.

- If you get full, take half of your meal home. The second portion of your meal can serve as a second
meal later. This way, you get two meals for the price of one.

- If you’re looking to eat less, order two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad as your meal.

- If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked potato or steamed vegetables instead of french
fries.

- Always look for food on the menu that’s baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed. These types
of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and are usually much lower in calories.

- Plain bread or rolls are low in both fat and calories. When you add the butter and oil, you
increase the fat and calorie intake.

- As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes with fruits and vegetables. Both fruits and
vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as well as many vitamins and minerals.

- Choose foods made with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice.

- If you crave dessert, look for something with low fat, such as berries or fruit.

- Always remember not to deprive yourself of the foods you truly love. All types of foods can fit
into a well balanced diet.

Eating Healthy On Vacation

It can be very tempting to abandon your good sense of healthy eating on vacation. Although you may strive for healthy eating, it’s easy to drift off and grab an ice cream cone here and there. There are however, ways to watch what you eat on vacation.

It’s easier than ever these days to request a low fat or vegetarian meal on airplane flights. If you choose to instead drive to your destination, the quest to find healthy food can get a bit more complicated.

Rather than simply relying on greasy foods for nutrition, pack some nutritious foods in a cooler
full of ice packs. Fruits and vegetables, crackers, yogurt, and sandwiches are all great to have with you on the road.

Once you arrive at your hotel, you should do yourself a favor and turn the minibar key down – as this helps to avoid the temptation. If your hotel offers a continental breakfast, stick to fruits, cereals, and proteins. If your hotel has a stove or microwave, consider bringing your own healthy food with you.

If you simply must eat out, do so only when you are hungry. Restaurants will usually serve large
portions, so be careful. If you do go a bit over on a meal, simply cut back on the next.

If you find it hard to fit in three square meals a day, try to fit in six smaller meals or snacks,
as your body needs fuel every four hours or so. When you eat out, avoid appetizers. Whatever you
do, do not miss any meals.

When it’s possible, you should avoid eating large meals at night. When your body gets ready for
sleep and slows down, it also burns calories at a much slower pace. Never eat bread before bed, and
make sure to avoid the butter. Choose fish or poultry for your meal instead, and include vegetables as a side dish.

Even though it may sound hard, eating healthy on vacation isn’t really that difficult. All you have
to do is use a little will power, and pass up foods that you know aren’t good for you. This
way, you’ll enjoy healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle wherever you go.

The next time you go on a vacation, always remember that eating healthy is a way of life. You can
afford to get something you crave, although you shouldn’t make a habit of it. One ice cream
cone or a pizza isn’t going to matter – as long as you know when to stop.

Eating Healthy On The Run

Whether your traveling on the go or around the home, you don’t need to give up healthy eating
simply because you are on the run. The fact is, healthy eating is even more important when your
trying to keep up with a busy schedule.

Having a good diet will help your body to handle stress better. As you hustle about, a healthy meal
is probably the last thing you think about. The following tips can help you eat when your on the go.

Restaurants
With tempting menus, large portions, and a festive atmosphere, it’s easy to skip healthy eating. It’s
okay to splurge every now and then, although you’ll pack on a lot of weight if you make it a habit.
When you eat out at restaurants, always be smart about it.

Airports
An airport can be a very stressful place, although you shouldn’t scrap your diet because of it. Eat
because you are hungry, not because of stress, boredom, or to kill time.

In your car
Keep some healthy snacks in your car at all times, so that when you get hungry – you have them.

At home
Evenings and mornings are busy times in most homes. Making the time to eat can be hard, although you
shouldn’t run out the door without eating breakfast first. Cereal with milk, a banana, muffin, or even a bagel is a great way to start the day.

Anytime you are on the go, always make sure that you make the right food decisions. You can take healthy
food with you if you need to, so that you have it when you need it. Eating healthy on the go is easy to do, once you know how. Never sacrifice healthy food for junk, as your body will regret it later.

Eating Healthy On A Budget

If you have problems serving healthy foods because of the prices, you’ll find these tips to be just what you need to eat healthy on a budget.

1. Eliminate junk food
Doing your shopping on your own is the easiest way to shop, as children and sometimes spouses are usually the ones requesting junk food. Shopping alone will prevent this, and ensure that you only buy the foods you need.

2. Water or milk instead of soft drinks
You can still enjoy your favorite drinks at a sporting event or night out, although you should stick with the smallest size when shopping to save money and calories. Children and even adults need milk or milk products on a daily basis. Milk will also help you get strong and provides calcium for healthy bones and healthy teeth.

3. Buy fruits in quantity
When they are in season, buy fruits in quantity and freeze any extras. You can buy several pounds
this way, and freeze extras to have them when the fruit goes out of season. Wash the fruit well,
remove any spoiled pieces, dry thoroughly, then freeze in plastic zipper bags.

4. Meats and beans
Meats and beans are the best sources for protein. Lean meat is more expensive than meats with a lot
of fat. Canned beans are a great deal as well, as they give you protein at a great price.

5. Beans as a substitute
You should use beans a substitute for meat on a frequent occasion. There are several varieties,
so you can prepare them in a crock pot, so when you return home they are ready to consume.

The USDA recommends eating beans at least 4 times per week. If you experience gas after eating
beans you should try washing them, covering them with water, bringing the water to a boil, then
draining it off and refilling the pot.

6. If you live in a coastal area or an area where fish are around, make that an integral
part of your diet. You can catch them from the lakes or rivers, saving money in the process.

7. Peanut butter is great for those on a budget as it’s popular with almost everyone. You can
use it for sandwiches instead of eating hot dogs. It does need to be refrigerated, although bigger jars can last you for weeks.

8. You should fill up with foods that have a high content of water. Watermelon, salads, and even sugar free gelatin are all great examples.

Eating Healthy For Vegetarians

The vegetarian way of eating can be a very healthy style of eating. The rules still apply with healthy eating, although you should add variety, balance, and moderation.

A vegetarian is someone who avoids all types of meat, whether it be hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, or even fish. Vegetarians are also sometimes classified by the type of food they are or aren’t willing to eat. For example, Lacto-ovo vegetarians will avoid animal flesh yet they will eat eggs and most dairy products. A Vegan on the other hand, will avoid all food that has any trace of animal origin.

Because they don’t eat meet, vegetarians will often wonder how they’ll get enough protein. Although you may not realize it, the average American actually consumes more protein than he actually needs. For the lacto-ovo vegetarian, dairy products are an excellent source of protein. Vegans on the other hand, get their protein from nuts, seeds, and soy products.

Along the lines of beans, there are several to choose from, including green or red lentils, peanuts, split
peas, pinto, soy, kidney, and many more. Some of them you are already familiar, such as kidney beans in
chili, refried beans in Mexican dishes, red beans and rice, and pinto beans. Although some beans taste good as they are, others are available with different flavors to help enhance their taste. Nuts are hihg in protein, although they deliver a lot more fat than beans, which means you should enjoy them in moderation. By having one cup of cooked beans, you’ll get the same amount of protein as eating two ounces of meat!

The nutrients of concern for vegans, who avoid all types of animal food, are vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D. In the average North American diet, the primary source for B12 is animals. To have an adequate intake of B12, vegans should reguarly consume vitamin B12 supplements or foods, which contain vitamin B12, such as soy products or milk.

For calcium, vegans can rely on orange juice or soy milk, as they are fortified with calcium. Beans and
leafy green vegetables will also contain some calcium as well.

Although all types of vegetarians rely on simple food groups, controlling your vitamins and calcium intake is
something you should always do. This is very important for eating healthy, as well as staying healthy. If you
control what you eat, you’ll have many years of healthy eating ahead of you.

Eating Healthy For Students

For students, eating at college is an entire new ball game, with late night pizza delivery and food
from buggies. Even though some of these quick and simple options taste great, they are probably
not healthy for a student’s body.

The food choices students make can affect whether or not they are able to remain awake during class
and whether or not they will come down with mononucleosis when it hits campus. The problem is not only about eating junk food, it’s more about not getting the proper proteins, carbs, vitamins, and minerals that people need.

When it comes to defending against illnesses, vitamins and minerals are very important. Just
because they are important, isn’t a reason for students to run out and stock up on vitamins and
supplements. It’s best for students to get their nutrition from food.

You can find vitamin C in citric fruits, Vitamin A in milk and diary products, and vitamin E in
nuts, whole wheat products, and even green leafy vegetables. This is the ideal way to get
nutrition, as your body relies on these vitamins for many reasons.

When you eat on campus, skip on the soda’s and go right to the juice machines. Explore the
different entrees available and go to the salad bar where there are fresh vegetables. You can
also try putting some broccoli and cauliflower in the microwave for steamed vegetables. There
are always healthy cereals and plenty of fresh fruit available in dining halls as well.

Always remember that eating healthy isn’t just about avoiding greasy foods. Eating healthy
involves getting a balanced diet and getting the right nutrients and vitamins to keep your body
in peak performance – or at least awake during your classes.

Eating Healthy During Pregnancy

Starting off your with a healthy well balanced diet is the best thing you do for yourself
and your baby. This way, you’ll only need to make a few adjustments during your pregnancy.

Your first trimester
If you find it tough to maintain a balanced diet during your first trimester, you can rest assured
that your not alone. Due to queasiness, some women will eat all of the time and gain a lot of weight in the process. Other women have trouble getting food down and subsequently lose weight.

Preventing malnutrition and dehydration are your most important factors during first trimester.

Calories
When you are pregnant, you need to consume around 300 calories more than usual every day. The best
way to go about doing this is listening to your body when you are hungry. You should try to eat as many foods as possible from the bottom of the food pyramid.

If you gain weight too slow, try eating small meals and slightly increase the fat in your diet. You should always eat when you are hungry, as you are now eating for 2 instead of one.

Calcium
By the second trimester, you’ll need around 1,500 milligrams of calcium each day for your bones and
your baby’, which is more than a quart of milk. Calcium is something that’s missing from many
diets. Along with milk, other great sources for calcium include dairy products, calcium fortified
juices, and even calcium tablets.

Fiber
Fiber can help to prevent constipation, which is a common pregnancy problem. You can find fiber in
whole grains, fruits, and even vegetables. Fiber supplements such as Metamucil and Citrucel are safe to take during pregnancy.

Protein
Unless you happen to be a strict vegetarian, your protein intake is not normally a problem for women
who eat a healthy diet.

Iron
A lot of women will start their pregnancy off with a bit of iron deficiency. Good sources of iron include dark leafy green vegetables and meats. Iron supplements should be avoided, as they can cause internal symptoms such as cramping, constipation, or diarrhea.

Vitamins
Seeing as how you get a majority of the vitamins you need in your diet, you may want to discuss prenatal
vitamins with your doctor. Folate is one of the most important, and if you are getting enough of it, you may be able to avoid vitamins all together – just ask your doctor to make sure.

Eating For A Healthy Heart

Bad cholesterol or a bad diet is something we all experience at some point in time. It’s impossible to eat healthy our whole lives, even though we may try hard to do it. Eating healthy for your heart is something everyone should try to do, especially when it comes to restoring health and reducing heart attacks.

Your heart and food
We know these things for sure – a diet high in saturated fats will help raise your cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease. People that are obese are more prone to heart disease. A diet high in sodium may elevate your blood pressure, leading to inflammation and even heart disease.

To help prevent heart disease and improve your health, put the tips below to good use.

Eat plenty of fish
Herring, sardines, and salmon are all excellent sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Other fish are great to, although Omega 3 may help to get your cholesterol down to a healthier level.

Choosing healthy fats and oils
Saturated fat will increase the risk of heart disease. It’s found in meat, butter, and even coconut oil. You
should avoid them until your cholesterol levels are down and you are at a healthy weight. Even those
that love red meats can enjoy seafood and nuts for their main sources of protein.

Monounsaturated fats such as olive oils will help you to protect your heart. Olive oil is an ideal
choice for cooking, dressing, or even as a dipping sauce.

Plenty of fiber
Fiber can help you control your cholesterol. You can find fiber in whole grain products to help
control sugar absorption as well, which will help you keep your digestive system healthy.

Choosing carbohydrates
Eating for your heart involves staying away from sugary foods such as candy, cookies, cakes, and
pastries. Eating a lot of sugar isn’t good for your heart disease at all. Healthy carbohydrates
involve whole grain breads, whole grain pasta, brown rice, and a lot of vegetables. You should make
fruits and vegetables the main aspect of your diet.

Healthy cooking methods
Stir frying and sauteing with olive oil or canola oil are both great methods, as you shouldn’t dip
your food in batter and fry it anymore. If you cook chicken, remove the skin and bake it in the
oven in foil.

Instead of frying your fish you should always bake it. Steaming your vegetables can help maintain the
most nutrients. You should use cream sauces or lots of butter anymore either. When you eat vegetables,
try squeezing lemon juice on them or using your favorite seasonings.

As you make the proper changes to your diet, keep in mind that it takes time for them to become habits.
Eating healthy is always great for your body and your lifestyle, especially when it comes to your heart and
the prevention of heart disease.

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