May discussion: Getting fitter and healthier

[Onis OLeia]

Hello there,

 

The topic of this month's discussion is "Getting fitter and healthier". Being a person who is very interested in healthy food choices and fitness, I was happy to say yes to hosting this discussion.

 

First, what can you do to get fitter and make more healthy food choices? If you are already doing it, please share with us what it is you do. I'll answer these questions myself too.

 

Feel free to share nice and healthy recipes too, and I may also make a thread with just the recipes. :)

[Millon]

I'm real excited for this topic also. I am need of a low-budget health food plan and any ideas would be appreciated. My girlfriend and I just watched the documentary film called "Food Inc" and that has given us a little more inspiration for our switch. That and some bad news from the doctor for an extra kick in the a...hhh rear so to speak.

[Onis OLeia]

First and foremost I'd recommend focusing on getting the good kinds of food, and rather put less priority to the stuff that you really don't need. A piece of advice I've read is saving up for a holiday for several months instead of taking it out of one or two months salary. The vegetables are so important that you can't afford to hold back on those.

 

If you can get frozen vegetable mixes at the grocery store, they are just as good as fresh vegetables. I will however recommend that you bake the vegetables instead of boiling them. This will preserve more of the vitamins in the vegetables.

 

Also remember that the food in a meal needs to be one third proteins and fats, one third vitamin and minerals (vegetables and fruit) and one third carbohydrates. The "good" kind of carbohydrates are slow carbs, like wholegrain bread and oats. These will help your blood sugar levels to not rise so quickly, and combined with some fat and proteins it will keep you going longer than if you eat fast carbs like sugar and white flour. The wholegrain and oats also gives you fiber, which is crucial for your digestion.

 

[Karasayl]

I agree completely about eating the right types of food. In my honest opinion, one can never have enough vegetables and fruits. Not only for the vitamin and fiber benefit, theres always cancer fighting antioxidants- which I hear are also good for one's complextion and prevent inflamation from exercise.

 

I would recommend to only use Extra virgin olive oil as a cooking oil. It doesn't have any harmful saturated fat.

 

Other than that, drink at least 1 cup of hot green tea or oolong daily (preferrably after a heavy meal). It aids digestion, prevent extra fat absorption, hydrates you, full of antioxidants and vitamin C.

 

 

 

 

[Onis OLeia]

This thread will be moved to the Green Ajah forum. Follow it more there!