Health and Nutrition
When it comes to health and nutrition, there is an endless amount of information available. It seems that everyone is more than happy to give their tips and tricks for losing weight, eating healthy, getting in shape, or whatever. Sadly, most of these are nothing more than personal opinions and are backed by little or no evidence. While most of them can be healthy in some cases, others can harm your overall health. To help weed out fact from fiction, we’ve put together this list of great health and nutrition tips based on actual data.
Enjoy Eggs (The Whole Egg)
Eggs have been on a rollercoaster when it comes to their health benefits (or detriments). For many years people thought eggs were bad for you due to their cholesterol content. Today, science tells us that eggs may very well be one of the best foods we can eat. First, to debunk the myth that eggs cause high cholesterol, a
study looked at this very subject and found that the cholesterol in eggs has no impact on the blood cholesterol in almost all people (a very few are highly sensitive to food cholesterol and are the exception, not the rule). Eggs are an excellent source of protein, many vitamins, nutrients and much more and can be enjoyed every day for great
health benefits.
Don’t ‘Diet’ – Change Your Lifestyle
People often say that they are ‘going on a diet’ to lose weight, or get healthy. Looking at your weight and health this way is very unhealthy. Even dieters who reach their weight goals will put the pounds back on if they don’t stick to healthy eating habits. A
study found that those who ‘go on diets’ almost always put the weight back on. Instead, find a healthy meal strategy that can help you reach your weight loss goals, and maintain a healthy body for the rest of your life.
Dump Your Beer Belly
Millions of people have a ‘beer belly’ which is just a humorous way of saying they carry fat around their midsection. It is a mistake to assume that people just put on fat on different parts of the body. In fact, a buildup of belly fat is especially dangerous, and may cause more health problems than simply being overall overweight.
Studies link belly fat to metabolic disease and many other health concerns because the fat builds up in and around organs, making them function less efficiently. Switch to an all-natural diet that is higher in protein and fiber (and lower in carbs) to get rid of belly fat.
Spice it Up in the Kitchen
Herbs and spices are what make a good food great. If you aren’t used to cooking with them, it is time to learn! In addition to dramatically improving the taste of almost any dish, spices and herbs are also incredibly healthy. The list of difference spices and herbs with health benefits is very long and surprisingly impressive. So whether you’re adding ginger,
turmeric, cinnamon, or something else entirely, you will enjoy the taste and the health benefits.
Add Weight Lifting to Your Exercise Routine
A growing body of research has found that weight lifting helps your overall health in many ways. While cardio is important, lifting heavy things contributes to keeping your bone density strong, builds muscles, burns calories, gets the heart pumping, and many other benefits. Whether you are lifting at the gym or just lifting heavy things around the house, this is an excellent way to improve your health.
Avoid Added Sugars
Those who eliminate 100% of all sugars from their diet are taking a bit too far, but it is very true that sugar is a leading cause of obesity and many other conditions. Natural sugars, such as those found in fruits, are healthy in moderation. Sugar that is added to almost all
processed foods can wreak havoc on the body. There have been many studies done on the links between added sugars and everything from diabetes to heart disease, and even cancer. Here are just a few of the studies:
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4,
5. Sugar can be
addictive and difficult to eliminate when starting a new healthy diet. If you would like to learn more about foods without sugar, you will want to read the article
Foods with No Sugar (and No Carbs).
Get Out in the Sun (or Take Vitamin D3) Most people love getting out into the sun at the beach or other places, and as long as you’re not getting burned, it is very healthy. The sun provides people with vitamin D3, which is essential for improved strength, bone health, reduced cancer risks, reduced risk of depression and much more. Unfortunately, a
study found that almost half of the US population is not getting enough of this vitamin. Whether you don’t like getting out in the sun, or it is winter time, and the sun just isn’t readily available, it is important to take supplements to ensure you’re getting enough.
Drink More Water
Everyone knows that water is good for them, but most people don’t realize just how important it is to get enough. Drinking water can help
boost your metabolism by as much as 30% for as long as 1.5 hours. This can help you lose weight, and keep your body running strong throughout the day. Also, when you drink water before a meal, you will consume fewer calories, according to
research. So, keep a glass of water around and drink it throughout the day to improve your health.
Get Some Sleep
This one is much easier said than done given the busy lives most of us live. Getting enough quality sleep is vital. Sleep deprivation can cause you to have hormone issues, insulin resistance, poor mental focus, and many other problems. It is also closely linked to weight gain and obesity. Children who don’t get enough
sleep have an 89% increase in the risk of being obese, and adults are 55% more likely to be obese!
Focus On Your Health
None of the tips listed above are too difficult to follow, but they can have incredible benefits for your overall health. Take some steps today to improve your overall health and nutrition and you’ll be reaping the benefits before you know it.
