Successfully meeting your nutritional needs each day can be a challenge. There is a lot of information you will need to research in order to get a better understanding of the nutrients your body requires as well as the necessary amounts in order to achieve optimal health. You can also speak with your doctor or nutritionist who can help to guide you throughout this process and provide you with helpful starting points. The following information provides a brief overview of ways you can help to ensure that you are meeting your daily nutritional needs if you are just getting started on your journey toward better health.
Understanding Calories
The number of calories and nutrients you need each day will vary based on different factors. For example, the number of calories you need per day in order to maintain your current weight depends on your height and weight. You can use a total daily expenditure (TDEE) calculator to determine this. You will also need to ensure that you are within a healthy body mass index (BMI) range, which can be determined using a BMI calculator. If you find that your BMI is too low, this may be a sign of an eating disorder, and you may want to consider researching treatment options for eating disorders in your area.
Understanding Food Labels
You will also need to begin paying close attention to the labels on your food. They will give you a better idea of the contents of what you are consuming. They will also list what percentage of the daily recommended values of nutrients the food contains. This is typically based off of a 2,000 calorie a day diet and can help you to stay on track as far as vitamins and minerals go.
Limit Processed Foods
Typically, processed foods are not very nutrient dense. Therefore, you end up consuming a lot of calories without actually getting the vital vitamins and minerals your body needs. This can potentially lead to you being deficient in some areas while also contributing to weight gain.
Incorporate More Fresh Produce
Another important factor to consider is how much produce you are consuming. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. They also contain beneficial antioxidants, which help your body to fight off free radicals. Therefore, if you are trying to meet all of your nutritional needs, fruits and vegetables are the way to go.
Overall, it can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to proper nutrition. There is a lot of information to try to sort through and many different factors you will need to consider. Therefore, it can be helpful to speak with your doctor, as previously mentioned. This, along with the aforementioned tips, is a great starting point that can help to get you on the right track.