What is a health-promoting diet?

A health promoting diet is achieved by consuming sufficient portions of macronutrients as well as micronutrients.  Macronutrients are your fats, carbohydrates and protien.  Micronutients are what is actually derived from from the macros: vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids and so forth.

Each person will vary in terms of what exactly they need to fuel their body properly and fully support health.  Factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, blood type, lifestyle, climate and stress levels can impact what is nessesary to promote health in each individual.  For example, in colder or frigid climates, your dietary intake of healthy fats should increase signifigantly, as the fat will help to insulate your body from the cold.  Eskimos induldge in a high fat diet for this purpose and do not suffer from high cholesterol the way someone from a climate like North America would.

All in all, a simple way for all to eat healthy is to eat clean.  Try to eat as much whole foods as possible, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains or meats.  Remember, whole grains do not come from a box of  processed cereal, but from natural sources like brown rice, millet, corn, quinoa, and so on.  Think of the nutritional benefits of eating fresh brown rice vs. boxed brwn rice cereal.  If you stick with this method of eating whole foods, your habits should approve accordingly and health should improve as you natually "crowd out" unhealthy processed foods.

I try to promote a healthy whole foods diet rich in vegetables, proteins, healthy fats and fruit as desert! Eating breakfast and every few hours is important to not only have a good metabolism, but also to feel well! Organic as possible, avoiding processed foods and refined carbs just makes sense. Portions and carbohydrates are dictated by your body type and activity level. You can read more at womentowomen.com

More and more evidence is accumulating about the dangerous health effects of pesticides, food additives, and other contaminants of our food supply. In addition, there is growing concern about the potential harm of irradiated and genetically modified foods. The bottom line for a health-promoting diet is to reduce the intake of these potentially harmful substances, foods laden with empty calories, additives, and artificial sweeteners, and replace them with natural foods, preferably organically grown and non-GMO. As for our water supply, its safety is also being scrutinized, for good reason. Check your water supply to make sure it is safe. If it is not, invest in a home water purification unit that will remove the impurities.