Understanding what a healthy body needs is important to achieving and maintain a healthy body weight. There are four (4) main food groups that supply essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for what you need to keep a healthy body.
1. Grain and Wheat
2. Dairy and Cheese
3. Vegetables and Fruit
4. Meat, Fish, and Alternatives

A well balanced diet is important to achieve a healthy body but many diets restrict food groups and minimize the inclusion of nutrients, such as fats and protein, in the dietary plan. But your body needs a variety of essential nutrients to stay healthy and keep a healthy body; this includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, sugars, and water. In addition, vitamins and minerals are essential and can be found in all four major food groups through the foods we consume. Knowing how much your need to attain a healthy body and where to find these nutrients will help you to manage your food choices and consumption successfully.

Carbohydrates.

These essential nutrients play a major role in energy supply to for a healthy body. The important thing to know about carbohydrates is that there are good and bad carbs. Highly processed carbohydrates typically raise blood sugar levels and result in overloading the body, eventually leading to that “crashing” feeling you experience once they are processed through the body. Complex and unrefined carbohydrates pack the most nutritional value and promote appetite suppression. Brown rice and whole wheat flour are examples of good carbs and what you need to keep a healthy body and they will keep off your hunger longer.

Proteins.

Proteins are found primarily in meats, poultry, dairy products, and fish. Protein is an essential nutrient for a healthy body. Beans and legumes also provide a source of protein and aid in digestion. Protein is used by the body to create muscle mass, to support healthy cell creation and function, and to strengthen the immune system. Lean meats and fish are a sources of protein when eaten in proper portions and helps to to keep you in better health.

Fats

Many diet plans restrict or eliminate fats in the diet. Fats are important to your diet and your body’s function, although they should be restricted to between 20 to 35% of your daily intake, targeting less than 30%. There are healthy fats and not so healthy fats so it’s important to know the difference of what you need to maintain a healthy body. Fat can be obtained from meats, dairy, nuts, and oils and knowing where to find the healthiest fats is important.

Healthy Fats

A healthy body needs fats. Olive oil is a sensible and healthy choice for fats since it contains monounsaturated fat, which reduces the LDL levels in your body and, in turn, lowers your risk for heart disease. And all your body needs is two tablespoons of olive oil a day to reduce your risk of heart disease. Olive oil is a healthier choice for fats, especially the lighter extra-virgin olive oil choices. In addition to olive oil, you should also consider canola, peanut, sunflower.  Many of these oils are now used in products such as mayonnaise to make them healthier for you.

Also, keep in mind that we get some fats that you need for a healthy body through some of the foods we eat and these are referred to as Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats. The only way to get these fats is through foods we eat. The key to a healthy body is to significantly reduce the amount of saturated fats you add to your diet and manage the saturated fats that you consume from meat and dairy through the use of low-fat or fat-free choices.

 ↑ Back to Top