LifeStyle: Health and Food for Thought

By K.M. LEW

Are you feeling like you could use a little spring cleaning for your body? If so, how about looking at what you eat? For many people, eating is "just something you have to do everyday." This way of thinking can affect your diet in many ways.

Most often, someone who only eats to satisfy their hunger may not consume a variety of foods, which are necessary to meet their nutrient needs. Over time, if your body does not receive the amounts of vitamins and minerals that it requires you may become deficient in certain nutrients.

What this can mean for your overall health is that your body is not running as efficiently as it could. Here are some general nutrition guidelines to help you feel your best:

Eat a variety of foods
Eating the same foods day-in and day-out will only deliver the limited nutrients in those particular foods. By eating an assortment of foods from each of the food groups, you can be sure that the amounts of vitamins and minerals your body needs are being met.
Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day
The human body is made up largely of water. Cellular function depends on adequate amounts of water. Since your body cannot store extra water, it must be replenished every day. Drinking sugary sodas and caffeine containing beverages such as coffee do not fully replete your stores, plus they can add many extra calories to your daily intake. So when you're feeling thirsty, try grabbing a bottle of water for a change. If you want to add some flavor, squeeze a slice of fresh lemon into your glass for a refreshing zing.
Cut down on fat
Excess fat in your diet can leave you feeling weighed down. Reducing the amount of butter, margarine, and oil used in cooking can significantly decrease the overall fat content of your diet. Since fats contain more than twice the amount of calories than carbohydrates or protein, they also may contribute to unwanted weight gain. Using reduced calorie margarine spreads and dressings is one way to cut back on fat in your diet. For baking purposes, try using applesauce in place of oil to save calories and fat grams.
Get some exercise
While an inadequate diet can leave you feeling less than your best, not getting any exercise will also keep you from optimum health. In contrast to what you may think, you do not need to work out every day for long periods of time to see results. Mini bouts of exercise, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther away from the door to walk in, will set you on your way to a healthier body. Exercise also burns calories which can help you to shed those few extra pounds and get your muscles in shape.