You want to start eating healthy but there are so many diets to follow. How do you know the best diet for you?
By diet, we’re not talking about “going on a diet” to lose weight, although following a healthy diet can help with weightloss. We are talking about a daily diet that provides your body the nutrients it needs to keep you healthy and fit.
A healthy diet goes far beyond the will power to avoid sweets. Healthy diets are balanced with the right amount of calories, protein, carbs, fat, fiber and other nutrients. You need certain foods to fuel your body, to help digest food, to help absorb the nutrients and boost your immune system.
The right diet for you also needs to balance with your lifestyle and values. Don’t forget, you also want to like what you’re eating.
Picking the best diet
With all these factors to consider, how do you make sure you are eating the best diet for you. Here are a few things to consider.
Personal choices and values: You need to be comfortable with your food choices. You can find a way to get the nutrients you need no matter what diet you follow. If you are vegan, for example, you can get protein from sources other than meat.
Lifestyle: How active is your lifestyle and how many calories a day does your body need? A long-distance runner will need more calories and different foods and nutrients then someone who gets very little exercise.
Body type & metabolism: How you burn calories and the chemical process your body uses to filter, absorb or digest certain foods impacts what you should eat. Diabetes, hypoglycemia, high cholesterol, heart issues and other illnesses or diseases impact your diet.
Age: Young, active individuals have different dietary needs than seniors. As we get older, our bodies have different needs. What we eat can also play a role in developing conditions and illnesses.
Life events: Certain life events can change your diet. For example, pregnant women need to eat foods that are healthy for them and their baby. If you get injured or suffer an illness, certain foods can help the healing process.
Regardless of the diet you follow, make sure it is balanced. As you pass certain stages in your life or face certain events, be prepared to adjust what you eat. A doctor or nutritionist can help you determine what is best for specific situations.
At Fresh Fit Foods, we are dedicated to providing healthy, delicious meals that meet a variety of needs. We offer healthy lifestyle, vegan, paleo, diabetic and senior menus. Check out our meal plans.