7 Basic Nutrition Rules for a Fab Body ...

We’ve all heard the expression, «you are what you eat.» That’s pretty much a true statement. If you eat junk, you’ll feel like junk. If you follow these nutrition rules, and eat a more healthful diet, you’ll feel, and look, much better.

Soda is, in short, empty calories, so avoid it and opt for water or natural mixed fruit juices instead. If you’re thinking you can break this nutrition rule by switching to diet soda, don’t. It’s calorie-free, but it’s also loaded with nasty, potentially cancer-causing ingredients, like artificial sweeteners.

Did you know that just one value meal, with a burger, fries, and drink, can often contain all of the calories you’re supposed to consume in an entire day? It’s also full of fat and sodium, and in a frighteningly high number of cases, deadly e coli and other food-borne bacteria. If you can’t avoid fast food altogether, choose grilled chicken sandwiches without dressing over burgers.

There seems to be a theme among some of these nutrition rules, doesn’t there? It’s all about making simple swaps to be healthier. For instance, switching from soda to juice or water, to grilled chicken minus dressing from burgers. Here’s another simple swap that will make a big difference: switch from white bread (made with actual BLEACH and stripped of nutrients) to tasty whole grain bread (made with all three parts of the grain and loaded with nutrients).

According to the USDA, adults are supposed to get five servings of fruits and veggies every day, but almost none of us do. If you truly want to follow all of the important nutrition rules, aim for those five servings, and to go above and beyond, eat as many of them fresh, and without sauce or butter or other processing, as possible.

Oh, simplicity! Shopping the outer edges of the supermarket will actually help you follow these other nutrition rules. How? Because all of the nasty, fat and calorie-laden processed foods and junk foods are in the inner aisles, and all of the fresh produce and hearty whole grains are around the grocery store. Grab a cart, shop the perimeter, then hit the check out… no junk food here!

This nutrition rule applies especially to dieters… don’t skip meals, and don’t starve yourself. Try for five small meals a day, rather than three big ones. This will keep you from feeling hungry (so you’re less likely to be tempted to cheat on your diet), and it will keep your metabolism rocking.

It may seem a little intimidating to think about following all of these nutrition rules at once, but really, since so many of them are combinations of rules, it’s nothing, and it’s so worth it in the end! Which of these nutrition rules surprised you, and which did you already know? Or is there another nutrition rule you’d like to share?

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