Having a balanced diet is extremely important when it comes to fostering a healthy digestive system. A balanced diet consists of protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber, and dairy. Foods such as those high in saturated fats and processed ingredients can be potentially damaging to our health, which is why learning how to maintain a healthy diet is vital. Today, we are going to break down the different parts of a healthy diet, how to stay consistent with your nutrition goals, and how best to support your digestive system with the types of foods you eat.
The Different Parts of a Healthy Diet and Why They Are Important
Fruits and Vegetables
It is recommended that we eat around five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. There are a wide variety of nutrients that we can get from fruits and vegetables. They also help to prevent blood sugar spikes, and keep any excessive cravings at bay. If you struggle with having a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables throughout your day, try to find ways to incorporate them into your traditional meals. For example, if you are an avid taco maker, you can try adding shredded lettuce or pineapple to spice up your meal, while also reaping the benefits of some extra fruits or vegetables. Some of the essential nutrients we get from these foods include vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.
Protein
Protein is interwoven into our bodies already, and maintaining a consistent amount of protein in your diet can help your body make new cells and strengthen pre-existing ones. Protein also helps people gain muscle and maintain the muscle that they already built. When your diet lacks protein, it causes your body circulation to decrease, symptoms of fatigue, muscle loss, and can decrease your immunity levels as well as your metabolism. Protein can come from a variety of different meats, but can also be found in cheese, beans, and soy products. Make sure you are including protein in your meals throughout your day to avoid any adverse effects.
Whole Grains and Fiber
Whole grains contain high levels of fiber, and is an essential part of a healthy diet, because fiber helps to bulk up your stool which can benefit your overall digestive process. Be sure that you are consuming whole grains instead of refined grains, because a diet filled with high amounts of refined grains is linked to inflammation. It is also important to keep an eye on the added ingredients that can be found in whole grains such as processed sugars. Even though it is essential to eat grains, it will not benefit you if they are filled with potentially damaging ingredients. Whole grains also contain high amounts of vitamin B, antioxidants, and plant compounds. However, it is important to be aware of the way your body is specifically impacted by whole grains, because some might find they have an intolerance to grains due to the gluten contained in them.
Dairy
Similarly to whole grains, some people might find that their bodies have trouble properly digesting dairy products. This is due to the sugar called lactose found in dairy products. However, if you find that your body is not sensitive to dairy products, dairy can actually be an essential part of a healthy diet due the nutrients dairy contains. Dairy products help to maintain strong bones and nourish the body with nutrients such as potassium, vitamin D, and calcium.
How To Stay On Track of Eating a Healthy Diet
Now that we know what a healthy diet consists of, we will dive into how to stay consistent with eating a healthy diet. Even though there are countless different meals one can make with these essential ingredients, it can also be tempting to reach for the foods that contain processed sugars and fats. In order to stay on track with a healthy diet, one must implement healthy habits to avoid giving into temptations.
For example, if you struggle with finding healthy alternatives to the extra sweet or salty snacks in your cupboard, make sure to limit the amount that you buy at the store. If you rid your cupboard from any processed snacks, there will be no temptation to reach for them when hunger strikes. Instead, try pre-making snacks to enjoy throughout your day that will still satisfy your cravings such as cut up fruit when the need for a sweet treat arises or salted popcorn when the need for a salty treat arises.
Staying hydrated is also important when it comes to staying consistent with eating healthy. When your body is dehydrated, it could potentially signal to you that you are hungry, when in reality it is actually water that your body craves. Staying hydrated will help you to curb cravings and keep you feeling full for longer. Lastly, it is important to treat yourself from time to time to avoid overeating and losing sight of your ultimate nutrition goal. Limiting yourself too quickly can cause you to give in to those unhealthy foods more quickly.
How Best To Support Your Digestive Process During Your Nutrition Journey
Eating a balanced diet means that your body will be supported by the variety of nutrients all the essential food groups have to offer, but to maximize their potential and to avoid digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, make sure you are taking your supplements for bloating such as a digestive enzyme supplement. Gut health enzymes help you to digest all different kinds of foods, and our bloating supplement Sexy & Slim contains just the right enzymes to leave you feeling fully supported.
Our last tip to ensure your nutrition goals are met is to make sure you are not eating too much fiber. While it is a part of an essential diet, eating too much of it can cause a host of digestive issues. Eating healthy is definitely not a one day endeavor, but with the right healthy habits, and with a balanced lifestyle, it is completely attainable.