6 Small Diet Changes to Make Now
There are a number of reasons people require Long Term Care. Diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are among the most common. However, other highly preventable conditions, like heart disease and obesity, are also at the top of the list for reasons people need Long Term Care.
Just because you have Long Term Care Insurance doesn't mean you want to use it. In fact, it would be ideal if you never had to make a Long Term Care claim. One way of avoiding preventable conditions like obesity and cardiovascular disease is by nourishing your body with the right foods.
When most people hear the word "diet", they think of famous 10-step diet plans, weight loss centers, and diet pills. However, making changes in your diet isn't the same thing as "going on a diet". That's a good thing, considering most people find it easier to stick to small diet changes over extreme ones. Making small adjustments to your diet, and sticking to them, can have a big impact on your health!
1) Tone Down the Sweet Tooth
Refined sugars are sugars that have undergone processing and are little more than empty calories. Unfortunately, they are packed into a majority of the foods in grocery stores. Desserts, bread, peanut butter, yogurt, the list goes on and on. It is tough to find processed, packaged foods that don't contain refined sugars. While it's nearly impossible to completely cut them out, it is very simple to significantly cut back on your intake without feeling deprived. Instead of eating candy, eat fruit. Fruit contains natural sugars that are packed with nutrients and can still satisfy your cravings for sweets.
2) Switch Your Proteins
Instead of eating red meat, eat poultry or fish. Chicken, turkey, and fish are much leaner sources of protein than red meats. Red meat has also been linked to heart disease by numerous research studies and trials. If possible, make one day a week meatless. "Meatless Monday" is a trend that has recently caught on. Give it a try!
3) Eyeing That Fast Food Spot? Keep Driving.
No questions here. Nearly everyone knows that fast food is terrible for you. The colossal amount of calories packed into a small, overly processed meal is alarming. It's best, whenever possible, to cook meals yourself so you have control over what goes into it and what is done with it.
4) Cut Back Your Sodium Intake
The average American has sodium intake levels much higher than that which is recommended. We need sodium for healthy organ functions, but too much and our arteries start to clog, causing heart disease and other illnesses. Frozen foods and canned soups are a couple of the products in grocery stores that are stuffed with sodium. Even labels like "Reduced Sodium" might not mean a whole lot. Make sure to check labels and if your food needs salt, just use a pinch.
5) Don't Drink Your Calories
Most sugary drinks like soda, sweet tea, sports drinks, and even processed, packaged fruit juices hold no nutritional value. They fill your body with empty calories and chemicals while leaving you hungry for real food. Some people really love soda, and that's okay. Moderation is the key to a healthy lifestyle. If you can't give it up cold turkey, try replacing one sugary drink a day with water. You will feel less hungry and less jittery.
6) Replace Bad Fats With Good Fats
Bad fats, or saturated fats, are fats that are in foods like cheeseburgers, potato chips, and ice cream. These fats are detrimental to your health, which can cause high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Good fats, like the ones found in avocados, olive oil, and nuts, can actually improve your health when consumed in moderation.
Making these small changes to your diet can have a significant positive impact on your long-term health and may help you avoid needing to use your Long Term Care Insurance policy.