By Stephanie Trevino, MBA, PHR
Water is an amazing component to start off your healthy eating. Water has so many benefits that are often overlooked when people plan to diet, yet it is the most important component.
The first step is to plan!
How much water do you take in currently? How much water should you take in daily during the winter months and the summer? How often do you workout and do you sweat during the workout?
When it comes to staying hydrated how do you know you are getting enough in?
- Protein, these are amino acids that are essential in life. Protein feeds your muscles, skin and hair. Protein is found in foods such as meats, fish, nuts, grains, beans and vegetables.
- Carbohydrates, which have a bit of a bad rep for making people “gain weight,” which isn’t entirely true. Carbs are found in everything that we eat and they are broken down in our body to provide energy. The key is to eat the right kinds of carbs. Foods like fruits and veggies are pure or “good” carbs. Other complex carbs include grains and sweet potatoes. Simple or refined carbs such as those found in pastries and white bread are the ones you want to stay away from.
- Fat. Believe it or not, fats are essential to weight loss. Healthy fats are abundant in peanut butter, nuts, avocados and good oils such as olive and coconut oil. Hydrogenated oils such as lard are typically used in fast food restaurants and are about the worst thing that you can put in your body. They key is to stick to moderate amounts of good fats and avoid bad fats at all costs.
- Fiber is nature’s way of keeping your body clean. Great sources of fiber include leafy green vegetables such as spinach. Fiber can also be found in grains and roots, such as sweet potatoes.
So how much of these nutrients should you eat? The proper amount varies from person to person – there is no universal formula. When it comes to your body, only you and your nutritionist can decide what works best for you. One of the first things I do when meeting with clients is measure their muscle mass. Muscle, along with other contributing factors, will determine how much protein, carbs, fats, and fiber you need to consume in a day.
So keep calm and chive on. Pay attention to these four ingredients and don’t get sucked into the latest diet fad or feel overwhelmed with the plethora of confusing food labels. If you have questions about this topic or anything related to health and fitness, drop me a line at strengthbodymind@gmail.com.
Stephanie Trevino, MBA, PHR is a certified nutritionist and life coach. She is the founder and owner of Strength of Body and Mind, a full service consultancy dedicated to strengthening the body and mind through coaching in all aspects of life including professional development, physical and mental health and wellness. Her areas of expertise include physical fitness, nutrition, and mental and physical wellness. More information is available at www.strengthbodymind.com and on Facebook.com/StrengthBodyMind.