BALANCED DIET?

CLEAN EATING CAN BE PART OF A BALANCED DIET

Three plates of healthy foods that follow the clean eating tradition: Fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

Even if you haven’t personally dabbled in the clean-eating craze, you probably know at least one person who has tried it.

This growing trend toward eating whole foods in their natural state, and avoiding things that are highly processed or contain a lot of additives, has gained popularity around the globe.

“Clean eating is a concept, and depending on who you talk to, the definition may vary,” said Holiday Zanetti, a senior research scientist and clinical investigator for Nutrilite. “What are the foods that should be consumed and what are those that should be avoided?

“That is up for debate, and is often up to the individual’s interpretation of eating clean.”

Part of a healthy lifestyle

For the most part, the guidelines that describe clean eating are part of a healthy lifestyle—fruits, vegetables and whole grains are nutritional powerhouses. Filling our plates with them and rounding the meal out with lean protein spells success.

“When clean eating means making healthy food choices that include fewer preservatives and less salt and sugar, this can equate to a healthy lifestyle,” Holiday said.

But it’s important to recognize that eating clean is not the only approach to achieving that healthy lifestyle, she said.

Moderation is key

There can be a negative side to this trend, too. Some people become so focused on what they see as clean food choices that they stop eating the variety of foods needed provide key nutrients.

Others have made up their own strict rules. For example, some believe organic foods are the only clean foods. They’ll eat only fresh fruits and vegetables, and nothing that has been canned.

“Not all food preservatives and additives are bad,” Zanetti said. “As with most things in life, a healthy dose of moderation is key.”

A delicious looking red raspberry and blackberry tart sits on a table. Moderation is key when following guidelines for clean eating.

Eat the cake

While you can embrace the benefits of eating healthy foods, make sure to keep everything in perspective. It’s OK to enjoy that slice of birthday cake.

“It’s not wise to get obsessed about what you eat,” Holiday said. “That takes the joy out of eating and can eliminate potentially healthy choices that add variety to your diet.

“It’s about balance.”

Learn more

If you explore clean eating, remember this: Any diet that has you reaching for more fruits, vegetables and whole grains while limiting your salt and processed foods will help add up to a healthy lifestyle, Holiday said.

“If that is your definition of clean eating, make it happen daily,” she said. “And remember, some is better than none and consistency is key.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding the types of nutrients

Image
  Understanding the types of nutrients Why are nutrients important? Our bodies need them to survive and thrive each day. August 10, 2023 Nutrients definition Following a nutritious or well-balanced diet is one of the main things you can do to support your wellbeing. But what exactly does nutritious or well-balanced mean? Simply put, if something is nutritious, that means it’s filled with nutrients. OK, but what are nutrients? Why are nutrients important? So many questions! But it’s really not that complicated. Let’s break down all the essential nutrients – from macro vs. micro nutrients to plant nutrients – so you can feel confident choosing what foods and supplements to include as part of your overall  health and wellness  goals. Essential nutrients No matter where we live, how we spend our days, or what our age, there are some nutrients that we all need in order for our bodies to function properly: lean proteins, healthy carbohydrates, the good kind of fats and plenty of vitamins, mi
Read more

vitamin & beauty

Image
Quality Products. Guaranteed. Discover products inspired by and created for a healthier, more confident life. Nutrition  Beauty  Personal Care  Home  Shop By Category Vitamins & Supplements  Skin Care  Sports Nutrition  Makeup  Bath & Body  Energy Drinks  Hair Care  Laundry  Weight Management  Oral Care  Cookware  New Products  Our Exclusive Amway™ Brands
Read more

kid’s nutrition

Image
  Would you believe us if we said that feeding toddlers wholesome nutrients while they’re young is critical to long-term health and development? Fruits, vegetables, and fibrous carbohydrates can keep them on track for growth, while also setting healthy habits early on. We know what you’re thinking – when toddlers are screaming for food, it’s easy to just hand over cereal for a quick fix. But, that boxed food isn’t going to do them any favors. So, what are the most important aspects of toddler nutrition and what’s the importance of a healthy diet for kids? Why kid’s nutrition matters “The first five years are especially critical, because that is when the brain develops most rapidly and has the highest capacity for change,” said Holiday Zanetti, a Nutrilite™ senior research scientist and clinical investigator. “These years are paving the foundation for a lifetime of health and wellbeing.” That’s why, in the first five years, parents should focus on ensuring their children get adequate nu
Read more