Healthy Calories

Healthy calories come from foods that are high in vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that are bodies need to function. Such foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, lean meats and poultry, and low fat dairy products. It is vital that the bulk of food calories comes from these choices, and not foods that are high in sugar and fats, with little nutritional value.

"Junk" foods that should be limited in the diet include: chips, cakes, cookies, pastries, doughnuts, and candy. All of these choices give you two things only, empty calories and a sugar high. When you eat them, you get a sugar rush that temporarily gives you a boost of energy, but within an hour or two, the sugar levels in your blood plummet, and you crash hard. The result is that you feel tired, hungry, irritable, and unable to rally up that energy high you had only a couple hours before.

Choosing Healthy Calories

When you choose to pick foods that supply healthy calories, you simply feel better. Your blood sugar remains at a more constant level, which means your energy level does not go up and down throughout the day. Healthy foods also supply the body with essential vitamins and minerals that it needs to function properly and fight off illness and disease. The human body cannot survive without getting sufficient healthy calories each day.

If you are overweight and want to begin eating a healthy diet, remember that balance is the key. Choose lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains. Remember, it is also not wise to totally omit your favorite "junk" foods from your diet, because doing so will only make you want them more, which could lead to binging. Ask you physician about starting an exercise program that will get you moving and burn calories.

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