Healthy Body, Healthy Diet

To maintain a healthy body we have to maintain a healthy diet. This can be a real challenge in our busy, view-on-demand, high speed internet world where everything seems to be done as quickly as possible. The temptation is certainly there for us to include eating among the fast-paced things we do every day and night. Grab that hot dog, go through the drive-thru for that quick burger, head for fast-food pizza, tacos or fried chicken. But sometimes, even at the hectic pace we live at today, we just need to slow down and make time for what is important. And taking the time to eat healthy now may save us time in the long run with less time spent at the doctor's office.

If you eat more calories than your body needs each day, your body will store the excess energy as fat. And we spend too much effort trying to eat quicker instead of paying attention to what we are putting in our bodies. Sure, you may have saved some time by grabbing that ready made, carry-out pizza. But it is loaded with fat and calories and carbs that you won't burn off for days. That quick slice of pizza may lead to three more that you quickly gulp down before you even think about it. No matter how much you exercise, overeating will lead to weight gain. It is a case of concentrating so much on what we need to get done that we pay little attention to what we are doing.

Quicker is not always better, especially when it comes to eating. Yes, junk food is quicker. But it is not just filling you up, it is also fattening you up. Lower your junk food consumption little by little and in a month or so you will not have such a craving for junk foods. Remember to try not to buy so much junk food because you will feel tempted to eat it. You should always eat before you shop so you can focus on your grocery list without having any unnecessary cravings. When you think you are craving a candy bar it means your body is craving something with nutrients and vitamins. Try eating something healthier like fruits or vegetables to stop that unhealthy craving.

Eating healthy does take more time than going for the quick food fix but it is time well spent. It is true that while eating "healthy" is good for you, it is a quite a bit harder as well. Do not try the tactic of starving yourself just to lose weight. Your body will simply store the fat in response to the drastically reduced caloric intake. It is much more unhealthy to skip breakfast, lunch or dinner than to eat 3 nutritious meals a day. Anything worth doing is worth doing right so take the time to properly nourish yourself.

The average adult human body is 50-65% water, so you can see that water is very important for a healthy diet. Make sure to carry water with you at all times. Try to drink water in place of fattening soft drinks and other flavored beverages. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day. This may sound like a lot but keeping yourself properly hydrated is essential for good health.

As a rule the more chemicals that are pumped in your food, the worse that food is for you. Try to avoid processed foods. They are unnatural and therefore are much more difficult for your body to break down. As a result they will lie in your gut making you feel bloated and lethargic. You may also notice you have more trouble getting rid of the waste produced by these foods at bathroom time. Bowel straining can lead to hemorrhoids. Eat things which are not heavily chemically altered such as wholewheat pasta, raw fruits and vegetables, brown rice, wholewheat and so on.

Keep in mind that you do not have to include meat in every meal. Eating less meat can have several benefits, and most people already have enough protein in their diets. Consider substituting with legumes, beans and tofu. A National Cancer Institute study of 500,000 people found that those who ate 4 ounces (113 grams) of red meat or more daily were 30 percent more likely to have died of any cause during a 10-year period than were those who consumed less. Sausage, luncheon meats and other processed meats also increased the risk. And many meats are high in salt content, which is another area of concern in regards to a healthy diet.

At Ocala Family Medical Center we're your partner in health...and we're here for all your medical needs .