Guide To Eating a Healthy Diet

Healthy eating means different things to different people. Even experts on the subject don't always agree about the healthiest way to eat. To make matters worse, much of the information you read on the internet is backed by dubious science or no science at all. This guide will help you understand a science-based approach to a healthy diet.

Why Do You Need To Think About What You Eat?

The food you eat provides the energy and nutrients your body needs to function properly. Diets that have too many or too few calories or nutrients can lead to negative health outcomes. Additionally, the quality of the food you eat can impact your risk for diseases, shorten your lifespan and affect your mental health. For these reasons, it is important to evaluate the quality of the diet you eat and research any supplements you are considering taking, such as reading Le-Vel Thrive reviews.

Do You Need To Eat a Particular Diet To Be Healthy?

Some people need to consume more or less of certain foods because of health conditions, allergies or medications. However, most people do not need to follow a specific diet to be healthy. Some people may find they feel better when eating a certain type of diet, but other people can eat that same diet and feel worse. Healthy eating involves selecting a balance of nutritious foods, rather than following a strict set of rules. 

Why Is Nutrient Density Important?

Many people obsess over calories when making food choices, but what matters is nutrient density. Nutrient density is the number of nutrients a food contains compared to the number of calories in that food. Many of the foods that people refer to as being "empty calories" have low nutrient densities. For example, a can of Coke has 240 calories and it contains almost no beneficial nutrients. However, sometimes foods that are marketed as being good for you also have low nutrient density. For example, egg whites are promoted as a lower calorie alternative to whole eggs but contain very few nutrients.

Some foods, such as many types of fruits and vegetables, are packed with nutrients but contain very few calories. However, that doesn't mean high-calorie foods are bad. Some high-calorie foods, such as yogurt, egg yolks, nuts and fatty fish have a lot of nutritional value. A healthy diet should primarily consist of foods that contain high amounts of nutrients, such as fiber, protein, healthy fats, minerals and vitamins. 

Why Does Diet Diversity Matter?

In general, it is better to eat a lot of different nutritious foods rather than eat the same thing all the time. This is because the variety in your diet helps promote healthy body weight, supports your gut bacteria and protects against chronic disease. If you are a picky eater, try adding new foods one at a time. Even if you don't like the foods at first, research has shown that the more you expose yourself to a food, the greater your chance is of eventually coming to enjoy it.

What Are Macronutrient Ratios?

If you have any super health-conscious friends you have probably heard them talk about their "macros." Macronutrients are carbohydrates, protein and fat. A healthy diet should contain a balanced mix of macronutrients. Unless you are an athlete, you probably do not need to strictly track your macros or try to stay within a certain range. Instead, focus on including some healthy carbs, fats and proteins at each meal.

Are Processed Foods Bad?

Most of the food you eat has been processed in some way; however, it is better for your health to mostly eat whole and minimally processed foods. This is because highly-processed foods have often had most of the nutrition stripped away, leaving only empty calories.

The bottom line about nutrition is not to obsess over any one detail. Focus instead on including a mix of fun foods you enjoy with nutrient-dense foods and maintain variety in your diet.