I know exercise and nutrition are both important – but what does healthy eating really mean?
There are endless lists of clever quotes about exercise and nutrition.
A few of our favorites are; fitness is 20% exercise and 80% nutrition or you can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet. The internet is filled with every possible variation of exercises and fad diets. Just like exercise, any promises of quick-result diets should be considered with extreme caution.
Fads and trendy diets are usually just that, the latest popular diet going viral on social media. True nutrition is achieved through a balanced approach to eating. So, instead of perusing a crazy diet plan follow some of the basic steps that you can take to develop healthy eating habits.
First, consume real foods and avoid processed foods. Real foods include anything that grows in soil through plants and trees or a living creature under water, on land or in the air is considered real food. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, beans, meat, fish, and eggs are examples of real food. Processed foods are altered from their natural conditions so they can be stored for long periods of time. A lot of the times they’re found to be high in calories, sugar and sodium.
Secondly, eat a balanced diet. Whether you are cooking meals at home or buying food from a restaurant, make sure you purchase and consume a variety of foods. A balanced diet is a diet that contains differing kinds of real foods in certain quantities and proportions so that the requirement for calories, proteins, minerals, vitamins and nutrients is adequate to your body objectives.
Thirdly, be mindful of portions. In the U.S., we have one of the largest serving sizes in the world. So we should all be mindful of portion sizes with high-calorie foods. Consider cutting back on the portions that you put on your plate, splitting an entrée with a friend, or saving some food for later with a to-go box.
Lastly, cut out sugar as much as possible. Sugar is the worst ingredient in our diets these days. Candy, processed juices, soda and even energy drinks have more sugar than you actually think. Sugar contains no essential nutrient and has harmful effects on your metabolism.
Follow these four simple points when it comes to building your nutrition intake. For a customized plan, consult a Certified Clinical Nutritionist or Dietitian. If you have questions about exercise, sports performance, or injury prevention, call your local Apex Physical Therapy clinic.
Simply call one of our clinics closest to you and ask for a free assessment. We will schedule you for an in-clinic visit, where a physical therapist will provide you with a comprehensive evaluation of your condition and recommend the best treatment option for you. There’s no cost or obligation, we just want you to start feeling better as soon as possible. Best of all you don’t need a prescription.*
*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.