| In the world of nutrition, there are different ways to | | | | few pounds may help. |
| obtain the vitamins and minerals that you need. Of | | | | Food Is More Satisfying |
| course, we all know that we get nutrition from the | | | | Humans have teeth for a reason: to chew our food. |
| foods that we eat, but we also get some of these | | | | While it is possible to exist on nothing but liquid for a |
| same nutrients by using supplements or vitamin tablets | | | | while, it is nowhere near as pleasant as eating food |
| and capsules. While getting good quality supplements is | | | | that has both taste and texture. The simple act of |
| not difficult, there are still a number of these that are | | | | biting and chewing our food stimulates the digestive |
| not as healthy as others. You should get your protein | | | | process as well as kicking the metabolism into gear as |
| from whole food sources as often as possible | | | | well. The more work it takes to break the food down, |
| because: | | | | the fewer calories that will be absorbed. |
| - Food typically tastes better than supplements - | | | | During digestion, a process called thermogenesis |
| - You have better control over added ingredients | | | | begins, which literally means "heat production." Protein |
| - Food is more satisfying than supplements | | | | foods cause the highest rate of thermogenesis of all |
| However, supplements are sometimes helpful for | | | | foods with the only exception being alcohol. |
| getting the right amount of protein for a number of | | | | Liquid diets can also be dangerous, leading to conditions |
| reasons, including: | | | | such as kidney and gall stones. They are also difficult |
| - Convenience | | | | to continue for long periods of time. |
| - Portion control | | | | Convenience |
| - Exact calorie count is provided | | | | Making food from scratch can sometimes be a major |
| Better Taste | | | | chore. Today's busy world does not always give us |
| Foods that are freshly made have better taste than | | | | the time we need to make these foods or even to |
| the average frozen food as well as the average | | | | shop for them. There are even times when we just do |
| supplement. Protein foods that are prepared fresh are | | | | not even have the time to sit and eat a meal. We are |
| healthier because the other nutrients are more | | | | often stuck eating meals on the run, at our desk, or in |
| abundant in these foods. Some vitamins and minerals | | | | our cars. If we are not prepared, hunger can often |
| start to degrade immediately, meaning that in most | | | | force us to eat less than healthy foods while we go |
| cases they are not at usable levels in frozen or | | | | from errand to errand-foods that are high in fat and |
| prepared foods and may not be as high in | | | | calories, sodium, and other added ingredients. |
| supplemental form, either. | | | | Foods that can be carried along with you but are still |
| Better Control Over Added Ingredients | | | | healthy can save you from succumbing to the lure of |
| Frozen or prepared foods may have a number of | | | | the fast food places that litter every road you drive on. |
| harmful added ingredients that can cause a number of | | | | Portion Control |
| problems. Of these, added sodium is one that can be | | | | Supplements and packaged foods are convenient |
| the most problematic, especially for those who have | | | | because they are already in serving sizes. You eat |
| or are at risk for hypertension. Normal blood pressure | | | | one frozen meal or drink one shake and you are done. |
| is defined as 115/75 to 119/79. The condition called | | | | There are a number of diet plans that use these very |
| "prehypertension" refers to numbers that range from | | | | same concepts, relying on the portion controlled foods |
| 120/80 to 139/89 (Source: Christine Ammer. The New | | | | to make them easier to follow. These diets suggest |
| A to Z of Women's Health: Fifth Edition). For most | | | | that you add fresh fruits and vegetables, of course, |
| people who have either prehypertension or lower | | | | making them healthier and less likely to cause |
| levels of stage one hypertension, the recommended | | | | deprivation. With a homemade meal, you either have |
| treatment is weight loss if needed and a change in the | | | | to bring out the scales or measuring cups or estimate |
| diet. Even those who do not have hypertension will | | | | portion sizes. Several studies have shown that people |
| benefit from the DASH diet (dietary approaches to | | | | underestimate the foods on their plate greatly. |
| stop hypertension) which focuses on fruits and | | | | Exact Calorie Count |
| vegetables and reduces the amount of sodium that is | | | | Homemade foods take proteins, complex |
| eaten during the day. | | | | carbohydrates, and fats and turn them into delicious |
| Hypertension, which can be either a primary or | | | | creations. However, there are a number of factors |
| secondary condition, can lead to more serious | | | | that can influence the exact calorie count for the |
| conditions including cardiovascular disease and kidney | | | | finished meal. On the other hand, a pre-packaged meal |
| disease. There is no known cure for primary | | | | lists the calorie count on the packaging, making it easy |
| hypertension and usual treatment for secondary | | | | to find one that has the right calorie count as part of |
| hypertension is to take care of the primary condition | | | | your diet. Before choosing a pre-packaged meal, read |
| that is causing it. For instance, in someone who is | | | | the labels to be sure that you are choosing a meal |
| overweight and has high blood pressure, simply losing a | | | | without a lot of added sodium or fat. |