Eating Essentials For Everyone

Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about? Some of the diet obsession going on these days is, let’s face it, over the top. 

We all know someone who wouldn't dare touch a soft drink unless it is sugar/additive/caffeine and flavour free. There are the guys in the gym who instead of meals have to work out which powder they need to be mixing with which fluid next.

And worst of all there is the friend/colleague who, whatever you raise to your lips, burst out an exclamation of, ‘I wouldn’t even touch that without gloves. Did you know that…’ They seem to know the toxic content and dubious production process of every supposedly edible substance known to society. But the head-bursting stress of knowing this seems to be far more harmful to them than just eating junk.

Diet fanaticism has made it seem ‘diet’ is only something to worry about if you are looking to win the Olympic Marathon or fit into clothing you last wore aged 14.

Well, the good news is you can continue to laugh at the overly obsessive types. The bad news is that their fanaticism may have lulled you into a false sense of security. But more good news comes in the fact that it may be easier to get your diet sorted out than your thought.

You may not be a professional athlete hammering your body with remorseless training but the stresses and strains of daily life actually place added demands on your diet. It is often these very stresses and strains which mean many of us don’t take time and effort to eat or drink what we should.

Stress itself has been linked with many health problems. Tackling the causes of these is important but it is highly unlikely all stress can be removed from your life. Therefore it becomes all the more important to target a healthy diet.

Just walking down the street can see your body exposed to other toxins that your body has to process – and needs the nutrients to tackle. Tobacco smoke, mobile phone radiation, too much or too little sunlight and excessive noise can all contribute to increased free radicals in your body. These free radicals are the bad guys which can be harmful to lipids and proteins in membranes, as well as to DNA. This in turn can result in a wide array of diseases and contribute to premature ageing.

A sensible level of exercise is essential for staying healthy. You may not be training for the Tour De France but exercise helps your body burn fat and build up muscles. It also has an important role in helping your body get rid of toxins.

Three half hour sessions a week will make a big difference to your health and fitness levels. But if you are exercising strenuously you should increase your water intake to stay hydrated and also up your antioxidant and mineral intake.

Achieving adequate nutrition is not always easy. The use of a good nutritional supplements is a good way of ensuring that you get adequate quantities of the essential nutrients. It removes any doubts you may have about whether you are getting enough of the key nutrients. Let’s face it, who’s heard of things like phosphorus or potassium, let alone knowing how much you need each day or how much is in a banana/kiwi fruit/Mars Bar.

There is also a difference between adequate and optimal. It is possible that you feel okay and are not prone to illness. But being better nourished can give you higher energy levels and make you more resilient to stress or illness.

So take a look at our range of supplements and choose the best for you to ensure sufficient nutrition without the need for obsessive behaviour in the supermarket.

Key steps to a healthy diet

1 Drink adequate fluids
Focus on water as tea, coffee, and fruit juices are less beneficial. Aim to drink at least two litres each day. Alcoholic beverages can have a negative effect on hydration.

2 Eat five to nine portions of fruit and vegetables every day
Buy a variety of colours of foods as this is likely to lead to a variety of nutrients. Add fruit or veg to meals or use them as snacks. The more processed the food the less nutrients it contains.

3 Go for wholegrains when you eat grains
Steer clear of white bread and go wholegrain breads instead. Go for wholemeal pasta and rice. Avoid sugary foods (high glycaemic carbohydrates) as these lead to a leap in energy followed by a drop which leaves you wanting to top up on energy.

4 Choose lean meats
This cuts down on fat and fat from non-organically-reared meats can contain excessive levels of toxins. Protein, without animal fats, can be found in such foods as lean meats, fish, tofu, beans, chickpeas, nuts, and seeds.

5 Try to get your fats from plants or fish rather than animals
Fat is an essential part of your diet. Good quality olive, flax or linseed oils are good sources of unsaturated fat and essential fatty acids.

6 Choose healthy food preparation methods
Try to avoid processed foods. Processing contributes to a very significant loss of nutrients including vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Don’t over-cook your vegetables, and eat plenty of raw foods in the form of salads and fruit.

7 Don’t panic
Don’t give up just because you’ve had a burger or chocolate bar. Fill your shopping trolley sensibly and a few treats will not have a major effect on you. Conversely the odd apple won’t help much if you eat 90% junk!

8 Consider nutrition supplements
These can ensure you get all the nutrients necessary for optimal health.