Common Nutrition Mistakes

A healthy diet is one that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat milk products. It is also important to note that a healthy diet is one that is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars. The key to proper nutrition is to understand these nutritional basics, or the building blocks of nutrition.

Nutrition does not have to be a complicated part of your health, but for many it can be tricky. In order to make nutrition easier for you, here are some common nutrition mistakes to avoid:

• Carb Confusion. A common misconception is that you need to cut carbohydrates in order to lose weight. This can be true to an extent, but there are different kinds of carbs, and not all of them are bad. You want to limit your consumption of simple carbohydrates like those found in refined "white" grains, but up your consumption of complex carbohydrates like brown rice and beans.
• Do not eat too little: Some people think that in order to lose weight all they have to do is stop eating or only eat one meal a day. This is not only untrue, but it can actually slow down your metabolism, resulting in weight gain. The best thing to do is to eat several small healthy meals throughout the day to stimulate your metabolism and promote long-term healthy eating habits.
• "Fat-Free" and "Non-Fat": Foods labeled as "fat-free" or "non-fat" do not necessarily mean it is good for you. Often times, foods labeled as "fat-free" is packed with calories and those labeled as "non-fat" has added sugar. Be sure to read the nutrition facts and not just the front of the food packaging.
• Not taking a multi-vitamin. For most of us, it is near impossible to eat the right foods with the right nutritional value everyday. This is why taking a daily multi-vitamin, like Daily Essentials is "essential." Daily Essentials is a daily multi-vitamin that includes vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, and select herbs that are powerful antioxidants to support your daily health.