Tips for a Healthy New Year

www.SBtheRD.com

Are you working on improving your health this year? Try incorporating these three tips, and you will be well on your way to a healthier and happier year!

1. Include vegetables and fruits at every meal- even breakfast!

   Some of the most important nutrients our bodies need for immunity and health can only be found in whole fruits and vegetables. You may take a multivitamin to fill in the gaps, but it can contain synthetic forms of nutrients that your body likely won’t absorb well. Get those necessary nutrients by eating as many types and colors of vegetables and fruits that you have available to you.

   
   Try chopped green kale over your eggs in the morning. Snack on a smoothie bursting with spinach and frozen red and blue berries. Add yellow and green peppers to your brown quinoa at lunch. Savor a shredded red beet and orange carrot salad and white roasted cauliflower with your dinner.

2. Watch added sugars

   The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that no more than 10% of our calorie intake should come from added sugars. Most Americans consume three times this amount! Watch nutrition labels, and be wary of added sugars hiding in soft drinks, flavored coffees, sports drinks, flavored dairy and non-dairy milks, flavored waters, juice drinks, cereals (even granola!), condiments like ketchup and salad dressings.

3. Exercise regularly for your physical and mental health

   For immune health, heart health, mental heath, and overall disease prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following guidelines:

   1. Aerobic Activity: 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week

   2. Strength Training: engage all major muscles groups at least 2 times each week

Cheers to a healthier you this year!