Good nutrition is fundamental for women’s health. The saying “you are what you eat,” rings true, as the signs of a diet rich in nutrients shows up in your skin, weight, and behavior. Sadly, a diet that is nutrient poor can wreak havoc on the same.
Keep in mind that body types differ and so do metabolisms, making some women more prone to fat storage than others. Many women have curvier figures and are perfectly healthy that way. But your diet and daily activities can play a major role in whether or not you are too thin or too heavy.
However, nutrition is much more than just the size of your figure. For women, it is the foundation of your health. Eating foods that are nutrient-rich and lower in fat means you get all the vitamins and minerals you need without storing an excessive amount of fat.
Fat, though feared by many, is beneficial to a woman’s diet. Your body needs a certain amount of fat, which it converts to fuel. Fat is one of the building blocks of muscles. But the problem comes from consuming too much food with a high fat content. Once your body uses what it needs, it stores the remainder of the fat for another day. However, if your diet is high in fat, that means you are storing a considerable amount of fat, daily. That’s when what you eat will surely show up in how you look and feel.
A healthy diet should have a balance of vitamins and nutrients, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meats and other sources of protein and calcium. It is possible to get all of the daily requirements needed right from the foods that you eat. If you avoid foods that are loaded with fat and calories but low on nutrients, while adding more foods that provide vitamins and minerals, you can maintain a healthy weight for life.
Of course, too much of anything is usually not good. If you overeat, even with foods that are high in nutrition, your body will store the excess food as fat. Portion control is key to losing weight. If the thought of restricting the quantity bothers you, try eating 5 small meals per day in lieu of the traditional 3 meal a day plan. It’s easier to push away from the table if you know that your next meal is only a couple of hours away.
Build a diet rich in nutrition, pay attention to portion size and stop worrying about losing weight. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, for at least 6 days a week. Challenge yourself to do this for at least 90 days; once you make it a habit you will never have to worry about dieting again.