Healthy Diet Essentials From Your Local
Personal Trainer in New London
As a personal trainer in New London, my clients always ask me about
what’s healthy and if they need to take supplements, so I decided to
write this article to help.
Regardless of your fitness level or health concerns, we are confident that our Uniquely Yours personal trainers can help you. We are an experienced, knowledgeable, and proven team dedicated to helping people just like you become fit and healthy. Contact a
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According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a healthy
diet is one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk
products, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts, and is low
in saturated fats,
trans fats, cholesterol, salt
(sodium), and added sugars.
But just what minerals and nutrients are vital to our health and
well-being? Consider these nutrient-dense foods when you’re looking to
improve your vitamin and mineral intake.
Vitamin A is needed for good
eyesight and optimal functioning of the immune system. Cod liver oil,
dairy products, sweet potatoes and dark green leafy vegetables are all
great natural food sources of vitamin A.
Vitamin B1, also known as
thiamin, is imperative to the body’s ability to process carbohydrates.
Whole grain breads, cereals and pastas have high amounts of thiamin.
Riboflavin, or B2, can be found
in fortified cereals, almonds, asparagus, eggs, and meat. It’s used in
many body processes, including converting food into energy and the
production of red blood cells.
Niacin, also known as B3, can be
found in lean chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey, enriched flour, peanuts,
and fortified cereals. It aids in digestion and also plays a key role
in converting food into energy. As a personal trainer in New London, I
can help you find recipes that are not only great tasting, but that
will provide you with the vitamins that you need.
Vitamin B6 can be found in
fortified cereals, fortified soy-based meat substitutes, baked potatoes
with skin, bananas, light-meat chicken and turkey, eggs, and spinach.
It’s vital for a healthy nervous system, and helps break down proteins
and stored sugars.
Vitamin B12 is needed for
creating red blood cells, and can be found in beef, clams, mussels,
crabs, salmon, poultry, and soybeans.
Citrus fruits, red berries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower,
Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, cabbage, and spinach are
all loaded with
vitamin C, which
is vital to promoting a healthy immune system, and making chemical
messengers in the brain.
Vitamin D can be found in
fortified milk, cheese, and cereals; egg yolks; salmon; but can also be
made by the body from sunlight exposure. It’s needed to process calcium
and maintain the health of bones and teeth.
Vitamin E functions as an
antioxidant and is essential to your skin’s good health. Eat plenty of
leafy green vegetables, almonds, hazelnuts, and vegetable oils like
sunflower, canola, and soybean to get this vital nutrient.
Folic acid can be found in
fortified cereals and grain products; lima, lentil, and garbanzo beans;
and dark leafy vegetables. It’s vital for cell development, prevents
birth defects, promotes heart health, and helps red blood cells form.
Pregnant women need to take special care to ensure they are getting
enough of this for themselves and their developing baby.
Dairy products, broccoli, dark leafy greens like spinach and rhubarb,
and fortified products, such as orange juice, soy milk, and tofu are
all loaded with
calcium. Like
vitamin D, it’s very important in helping to build and maintain strong
bones and teeth.
Organic meats, oysters, clams, crabs, cashews, sunflower seeds, wheat
bran cereals, whole-grain products, and cocoa products are all high in
copper,
which aids in metabolism of iron and red cell formation. It also
assists in the production of energy for cells.
Iron can be found in leafy green
vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat, poultry, soy foods, and some
fortified foods. It’s needed to transport oxygen to all parts of the
body via the red blood cells.
Potassium can be found in foods
like broccoli, potatoes (with the skins on), prune juice, orange juice,
leafy green vegetables, bananas, raisins, and tomatoes. It aids in
nervous system and muscle function and also helps maintain a healthy
balance of water in the blood and body tissues.
Red meat, fortified cereals, oysters, almonds, peanuts, chickpeas, soy
foods, and dairy products are great dietary sources of
zinc.
Zinc supports the body’s immune function, reproduction capabilities,
and the nervous systems.
Protein is the main component of
muscles, organs, and glands. Every living cell and all body fluids,
except bile and urine, contain protein. The cells of muscles, tendons,
and ligaments are maintained with protein. Children and adolescents
require protein for growth and development, and adults need it to
maintain cell integrity. It can be found in foods like beans, milk and
meat. As a personal trainer in New London, I’m always recommending
protein to my clients so that they can recover quickly from our
workouts.
The primary function of
carbohydrates
is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous
system. Complex carbohydrates are the best choice for a stable blood
sugar level. Whole grain breads and cereals, legumes, and starchy
vegetables are all good complex carbohydrate sources.
Essential fatty acids play a part
in many metabolic processes, and there is evidence to suggest that low
levels of essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among
the essential fatty acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses.
Good sources are fish and shellfish, flaxseed, canola oil, pumpkin
seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts.
Though this list is far from complete, it gives a good base of
knowledge on which to build a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you have
any questions, I’m a local personal trainer in New London and can help
you not only with your diet, but also your workouts.
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