Diet and nutrition is such a fascinating topic all by itself the more you look deeper into it.
However, for the purposes of this article, we’re going to steer toward the kind of food which is simple, wholesome and consistent with a fit, healthy physique. This will enable you to optimize your health and have all your vital organs functioning and performing at their best.
Even though everyone is different and operates according to their own habits, capacities and conditioning; we can all agree that all humans need to eat and drink. If you objectively analyse what you put in your mouth everyday before it actually goes in, you’d probably surprise yourself with all the unconscious/comfort eating that goes on! A little thought however goes a long way; if you have bad eating habits, you can decide to change your mind and be free of unhelpful cravings and crave only what is good for you, it can be done!
So first of all, you need energy, carbohydrates (ie, potatoes, pasta and bread etc) are the fuel which ignite the fire in your belly and make your physical system go. Proteins (ie, preferably from lean white meat, chicken, fish, beans, lentils, eggs, cheese, milk etc) are important as the building blocks of the body as are natural (preferably) vegetable-source fats found in olives, nuts and avocados etc. These actually help fight fatigue, balance emotions, moods and conduce to mental well being.
For your vitamins and minerals, snack on a bowl of fresh white or red grapes, strawberries, carrot sticks, red or green apples, raisins, nuts, organic yogurt, mandarins, clementines or other berries.
If you’re out and about and need some serious fuel in a hurry, plain flapjacks with plain peanut butter are packed with everything you need for sustained hard work and will keep you going for hours.
Remember to drink plenty of water and some pure fruit juices will also help keep your system in top condition.
Now you have a basic grasp of what foods you should rely on for optimum physical nutrition and health, you can safely forget about faddy diets and if you’re dedicated enough, you’ll eschew fast foods like McDonald’s, KFC and other take-away food in a heartbeat; they won’t do you any favours neither long or short term and do not represent a good investment in your health, your life, buy a good piece of gym equipment instead with the money you’ll save!
We’ll talk more about recipes in another article. In the meantime, do you have a favourite recipe that helps you stay energised? Feel free to share your keep fit story!
