Eating healthy can be tricky, especially with all of the confusing labels and ‘healthy’ options available in grocery stores. But, if you make these choices now, you’ll be able to reap the benefits in the future. Below are some of the healthiest foods to serve your children. Read the labels to make informed decisions. And don’t forget to include the serving size. A serving size is the most important aspect of reading food labels.
Fiber: You can get fiber from plant foods such as whole grains and legumes. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is mostly undigestible. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber, and they prevent constipation and heart disease. Also, fruits, especially apricots, peaches, mangoes, and other berries, can be a delicious and nutritious meal. Aim to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables as they contain more fiber than processed foods.
Eating breakfast can reduce snacking at morning tea. A bowl of wholemeal cereal can be a good breakfast, as it contains fibre, vitamins, and minerals. A simple healthy alternative to breakfast cereal is yoghurt or wholemeal toast. Alternatively, soups can be a quick and healthy option. They contain beans, lentils, vegetables, or a combination of all of these. These are also convenient and inexpensive. If you’re unsure of what to cook, experiment with the recipes and find the perfect healthy option.
Be sure to drink plenty of water. Even sugar-free sodas can contain several calories per serving. While this may sound like a small change, it can improve your overall health. Instead of sugary sodas, choose water. Drinking alcohol is not only unhealthy, but it is also high in calories. Drinking more than 10 standard drinks a week can be harmful to your heart. But, if you are a regular soda drinker, a drink like tequila will help you to digest your food better.
Aside from fruits and vegetables, whole grains are also an important part of a nutritious diet. Try to eat half a plate of vegetables and fruit. And, you can add protein to your plate by adding some grain products, such as pasta, bread, grits, tortillas, and breakfast cereal. These are a great source of protein, but make sure you eat lean cuts of these foods. For example, if you want your child to have the right proportion of protein, they should eat whole grains.
You can also include healthy fats and oils as part of your daily diet. You can also eat small amounts of sugars and drinks. These are often considered ‘junk foods’ and they are usually high in calories. It is important to include a variety of foods that fall under each of the five food groups. Choosing the right foods can make a big difference in your overall health. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating is an excellent resource for all Australians.
Aside from being a good source of potassium, potatoes also contain fiber. A large sweet potato contains four grams of protein and 25 percent of your recommended fiber for the day. And it has 11 times the daily recommended vitamin A. The antioxidant properties of vitamin A have been linked to a decreased risk of cancer. A study in Taiwan revealed that vegetables rich in vitamin A may protect people from lung cancer. Therefore, carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A.
