One major complaint among Americans is that they don’t have time to prepare healthy foods. The high-speed daily routine typical of the average family, crammed with work, school, and extra-curricular events, allows little time for personal care. As a result, many people become dependent on fast food chains to supply meals. These vendors rarely offer healthful choices aside from salads, which many consider a bland alternative.
However, the reality is that healthy choices are often faster than so-called fast food. A small apple, ready to eat after a good rinse, costs a mere 47 calories, but provides plenty of soluble fiber and a quick pick-me-up. A half a cup of dried apricots is a good source of beta-carotene, fiber, and potassium. Oranges are high in vitamin C, folate, and phytonutrients believed to inhibit cancer in the body. People can turn fruits into fast foods by ensuring that there is abundance available in the home, and bringing them along to work and play.
Prep time for vegetables is negligible when compared to the length of time it takes to cook meat. Most vegetables can be flash-cooked to retain important minerals and vitamins and eaten within 30 minutes of prep. Others can be enjoyed raw with a great low-calorie dip. Discount food stores are also offering washed and prepared vegetables to save an extra step in the cooking process. Washed spinach, diced onions, and peeled carrots can be found in the produce section.
Why is it that we do not choose these healthy foods?
Another reason Americans choose unhealthy food is due to the myth that healthy food tastes bad. Television sitcoms and radio advertisements contribute to the idea that real men eat beef and healthy food tastes like cardboard. While it is true that fat carries flavor, keeping vegetable-rich dishes from being bland is a simple matter. Using more herb vitamins and spices, with less salt, in addition to adding a bit of vegetable oil to carry flavor helps create tasty and healthful dishes.
What can we do to improve our diets?
Find new foods
To improve our diet, we should explore new food options, improve our existing choices, and expand our knowledge of how nutrition plays a key role in our health. A fun way to begin learning is to browse health foods online, reading up the latest trends as well as learning about the tried-and-true methods for lowering cholesterol and improving health. Trying foods that sound interesting is a good way to make nutrition fun.
Eat less meat
While eating certain lean meats can be part of a healthy diet, consuming large amounts of meat is unwholesome. High in fat and low in fiber, an excessively carnivorous diet can lead to colon problems and surplus weight gain.
Involve the whole family
While at the grocery store with your children, encourage them to pick out a new vegetable or fruit to try. Doing this just twice a month will bring 24 new foods into your diet. Additionally, you may wish to visit your local natural vitamin store with your children. Explain to them why nutrition is important and how vitamins and minerals work in their body to keep them healthy. If you wish, you may even allow them to pick out a multi-supplement of their choice.
