Sponsored Links

Featured Links

Other Topics
Sponsored Links



Quote of the Day

"There are two kinds of companies, those that work to try to charge more and those that work to charge less. We will be the second."

Jeff Bezos

FEATURED
HEALTH
PRODUCTS
 
Guide To Healthier Eating And Weight
 
The Ultimate Collection Of Health Ebooks
 
A Healthy Back In Ten Minutes A Day
 
Complete Guide To Healthy Eating
 
Natural Health Remedies To Help Stress
 




 


Google

 
Featured Food Articles

Can Chronic Pain come from Food Additives?
Copyright 2005 Jane OelkeIt is always amazing to me when I find a food substance that when taken in excess can cause pain the body. And sometimes these foods, and food additives that are regulated by the government, are supposed to be safe. When I test ...

Demystifying the wine and food marriages
Living the Good Life by Jim& Della Bogaty owners Veramar Vineyard, Berryville, VA Demystifying the wine and food marriages -- There is "a pair" for you! Wine and food pairing is a highly subjective and should be fun. There is little mystique behind the ...

Food Health Values
Now let's take a look a the basic food elements in your perfect dietary plan; fruits and vegetables group, bread, cereals, rice and past groups, meats and beans group and dairy group. Each has different characteristics or helpful nutritional value for ...





Making smart food choices with practical foods
 
Everyone who is trying to follow a healthy eating lifestyle understands the need to buy quality, healthy and practical foods. Practical foods are those foods that are not only healthy but whose benefits extend beyond their mere nutritional value. Such foods are easy to use, and useful in a number of different recipes. Healhty, practical foods, when used on a regular basis, form a great part of a healthy diet, and may even lower the risk of heart disease, cancer and other common illnesses.

One great practical food is the humble tomato. It may not look much like an orange, but the tomato is actually a citrus fruit as well. As such, tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. In addition, tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, which has shown promise in preventing certain kinds of cancer.

In addition, tomatoes are easy to use, versatile, and inexpensive. In addition to fresh, in season tomatoes, which are delicious as well as nutritious, tomatoes are available in canned and frozen varieties as well. Tomatoes can be used in so many different ways, and in so many different recipes, that it is always a good idea to have a supply of them on hand in the pantry or the fridge.

Pastas, especially the whole wheat varieties of pastas, are another great example of functional foods. Pastas can also be used in a variety of ways, from simple preparations with simple tomato based sauces, to elaborate creations using shrimp, tuna and other seafood.

Of course, pasta dishes can be healthy or unhealthy, depending on how they are topped. Toppings such as Alfredo sauce or rich cream sauces, should be avoided when trying to follow a healthy diet. As with all foods, such heavy sauces are fine in moderation, but they should not form the bulk of your diet.

Luckily, there are lower fat alternatives to many high fat pasta sauces, and these low fat alternatives should be used whenever possible. Substituting lower fat alternatives for fatty, unhealthy foods is an important skill when it comes to creating a healthy diet.

Whole grain breads, flours and grains are also good examples of hellathy, practical foods. Stocking up on these staples when they are on sale will help ensure that you have everything you need to create the most healthy recipes possible for yourself and your family.

Whole grain products should be substituted for more highly refined breads and cereals whenever possible, since whole grain breads, cereals and grains retain more of their important nutrients than do more highly refined foods.

Starting a healthy eating program using practical foods is easy. Start by taking a personal inventory of your current diet, including where it is good and where it can use some improvement. Learn to assess the personal health risks created by your current diet (your family physician can be of particular help here). A physician or dietitian can be a big help in putting together a list of healthy, easy to use, practical foods you can use to change your diet for the better.

It is also a good idea to use your interest in healthy eating to create and use exciting new recipes. There are a great many healthy eating recipes available, both on the internet and in cookbooks. Seek out some of these recipes and try using your favorite healthy staples to create some wonderful dishes.

For some ideas on how to use practical foods morning, noon and night, try some of these great ideas:

Breakfast: ? Include some healthy staples, and some healthy fruits in your breakfast. For instance, pair healthy oatmeal with blueberries, or whole wheat or wheat bran cereal with strawberries or bananas. ? Try mixing a healthy cereal like All Bran into your nonfat or low fat yogurt. It will perk up your plain yogurt and give it a great crunch. ? Fresh fruit is also a great addition to yogurt. Try buying plain, nonfat yogurt and mixing in your own raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. You will save money and enjoy a healthy breakfast. ? Instead of high fat butter, spread your toast with apple butter or soy nut butter instead. Always try to use whole grain varieties of bread like wheat or rye. ? Drink a glass of 100% fruit juice with breakfast every day. Orange juice, grape juice, apple juice and grapefruit juice are all great choices. ? Blend 1% milk or soy milk with fresh pineapple for a healhy, delicious breakfast smoothie. These smoothies are great for people on the go.

Lunch and dinner ideas ? Make a great tuna salad with grated carrots, green peppers, red peppers, garlic and onion. ? Make a dish of fresh whole grain pasta and top it will homemade tomato sauce and fresh home grown herbs. ? Use healthy foods like onions and leeks, along with tomatoes, as a great side dish. ? Grill healthy fish and serve with a healthy side salad. ? Try some low fat soups like spinach and broccoli soup. ? Make a great vegetable stir fry with olive oil.

Healthy snacks Of course no plan for healthy eating is complete without some great healthy snacks. Below are some of our favorite healthy snacks for those on the go.

? A piece of fresh fruit, like an apple, orange or banana, always makes a great snack. Keep a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter for easy access. ? Try mixing nuts and dried fruit for a great homemade trail mix. Hikers and non hikers alike will enjoy this healthy snack. ? Treat yourself to a great glass of orange, tomato or cranberry juice before you leave the house in the morning. ? Keep a supply of broccoli florets, baby carrots and other bite size vegetables, and some healthy dip, on hand. ? Make your own fruit salad with oranges, bananas, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and other favorites.







About the author:

Tony Robinson is a Company CEO, webmaster husband and dad. In his busy lifestyle he has placed importance on health and fitness. Visit http://www.eat-healthily.com for good eating tips and techniques to assist you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Food News



msnbc.com (blog)

Food blogger, 9, crusades for better school lunches
msnbc.com (blog)
Almost two months later, the Scottish student has received loads of attention and even counts famed British food crusader Jamie Oliver among her fans. “It is very exciting to have Jamie following my blog,” Martha told TODAY.com.
9-year-old's blog shames school into changing foodCNET
9-year-old food critic reviews school lunches, gives low marksDeseret News
Daily food blog of young school girl shames council into changing school lunchesCorpComms Magazine
FOODBEAST
all 7 news articles »

Inventure Foods Adds Greek Yogurt Superfruit Smoothies
MarketWatch (press release)
PHOENIX, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Inventure Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNAK) , a leading specialty food marketer and manufacturer, has expanded its Jamba® "at home" Smoothies line with a pair of superfruit smoothies featuring non-fat Greek ...

and more »

"Healthifying" The Fast Food Market
San Francisco Chronicle
But with the nation's collective body mass index ascending ever higher and public pressure coming to bear, fast food chains started expanding and refining their menus. Has that strategy had a noticeable impact on profits? Fast Food Is Profitable on the ...
Guide to Fighting Fast Food in Your Own BackyardHuffington Post (blog)

all 2 news articles »

New York Times (blog)

The Raw Food Diet for Pets
New York Times (blog)
For years, raw food enthusiasts have touted the health benefits of uncooked food for humans. Now, some veterinarians and pet owners believe that a raw meat diet is best for pets. Sharon Misik, an actress who adopted two Siberian huskies in 2008 from a ...


Hungry for more about food critic's life
Kansas City Star
By RUSS PARSONS Ask your average Food Network viewer or Yelp poster about Craig Claiborne and you're likely to be met with a blank look and a "Who?" How fleeting is fame in the food world. Claiborne is one of the giants of this modern age, ...

and more »