10 Ways to Eat Healthier

Most of us want to be healthier. We want to live longer, and also to not spend those extra years in poor health, in the hospital, or a nursing home. Here are some things you can do now to improve your health and your family's health.

Stop the sugar-free stuff. Aspartame has been linked to as many as 92 negative health symptoms including migraines, colitis, fibromyalgia, vaginal irritation and even some infertility. The chemical structure of aspartame causes the body to mimic these ailments, but does not cause the actual illness. And far from being a boon to diabetics who need to reduce their sugar intake, aspartame has been shown to raise blood sugar levels in diabetics. Splenda is also being linked to various conditions such as infertility and gastrointestinal problems. This doesn't mean you need to go back to a sugar-laden diet. Drink water. Eat fruit. At the very least, you will spare your body lots of chemicals.

Get rid of trans-fats. Trans-fatty acids were created by hydrogenating otherwise perfectly good oils. Hydrogenating oils such as soybean or corn oil creates a longer shelf life for products using hydrogenated oils; makes fried products taste and "feel" better; and is linked to increases in cancer, cardiovascular illness and diabetes. Read labels and question fast food places about their use of trans-fats.

Stop using high fructose corn syrup. Think you aren't using this highly modified sweetener? It's in everything including ketchup, drinks, and even healthy drinks like Snapple. It's also making us, and our children, fat and unhealthy. High fructose corn syrup bypasses the digestive process and goes straight to the liver, where it gets turned into fat. When you add the widespread use of this sweetener to a typical American high-fat diet, the result is increased danger of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Avoid processed food. I read somewhere that you should only eat food that your great-grandmother would recognize. This got me thinking about how many of our foods are really food products. Eating highly processed boxed, canned and frozen meals guarantee that you are eating unnecessary chemicals, extra sodium, too much sugar and fat with your food. Eat fresh, natural food prepared from scratch. It may seem daunting, but it really doesn't take much longer to cook most things from scratch than out of a box.

Avoid MSG, food dyes, and other additives. MSG is linked to migraines and depression along with other health problems in some individuals. Food dyes have been proven to cause behavior and health problems in children. Fresh, natural, whole foods are best.

Get rid of the white. Avoid white flour, sugar and products made from them. Increase your consumption of whole grains. Brown rice, whole wheat bread, multi-grain or whole wheat pasta are all delicious and contain all the nutrients and fiber that nature intended and our bodies need. Over-refined foods like those made from white flour, contain empty calories with only a small percentage of the nutrients found in whole grains.

Eat your vegetables. Your mom was right, you need to eat those vegetables…and fruits. It is recommended to consume five servings of fruits and vegetables per day for optimal health. Eating fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits contain vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that protect us from cancer and other diseases.

Choose organic. When choosing certain fresh fruits and vegetables, it is far preferable to choose organic products that do not contain pesticides. Organic foods can be harder to find and more expensive. For ways to shop organic on a budget, read this article.

Eat fat. I know, we all try to avoid fat. But certain fats are essential to optimal health. These are called essential fatty acids. Sprinkle flaxseed on food. Add chopped walnuts to salads. Eat one or more servings of fish per week. You can even take an essential fatty acid supplement if you find it difficult to add to your diet.

Save room for some "junk". It's important to allow enough room in your diet to have some fun. If you follow the above guidelines most of the time, then the occasional fast food meal or processed treat won't affect your overall goal of eating healthier.