Balanced Diet For Women

If you’re looking for a way to stay fit and healthy, maintaining an overall balanced diet is one of the best ways to do it. It does not only provide the nutrients your body needs, but it also makes you feel alive and energetic. Below are the essentials you need to consider in maintaining a healthy and balanced diet.

Eating Pattern

The first step in being healthy is eating at the right time. Most often, women skip their meals due to their hectic schedules which leads to poor food choices and consumption of high cholesterol food items and junk food. In order to maintain good health, women should have five small meals daily in order to control their appetite and raise their metabolism.

Fiber Intake

Fiber is one of the most important factor in keeping the digestive system healthy and functioning properly. It aids in preventing certain diseases and keeping our weight under control. Eating fiber-rich food can make you feel full longer and prevent you from overeating. A few examples of fiber-rich food items are fruits, green vegetables, and whole wheat and barley products.

Bone Builder

Calcium is a mineral needed by most women as they age. It is important for developing stronger bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that occurs when bones become weak. To prevent this disorder, a 1,000-milligram calcium intake is required. Hence, women should eat more calcium-filled food like milk, yogurt, cheese, spinach, and others.

Iron Adequacy

Iron is another mineral needed for a balanced and healthy diet. Iron is responsible for carrying oxygen in the red blood cells. If the iron intake is low, one can develop anemia or other iron-related disorders. Therefore, women need to be watchful about their iron intake. Good sources of iron include, leafy greens, mollusks, egg yolks, and red meat.

Maintaining a balanced diet is the key for a healthier body and good quality of life. Just consider the suggestions mentioned above and include exercise and a healthy lifestyle in your everyday life.

Cooking Terms for Newbies

To learn cooking, you must first know the basics. Along with the basic techniques and methods, you should also learn the basic terms used in cooking. Knowing these terms will make it easier for you to follow the procedures in recipes.

The terms below are used in cooking the Chicken Cacciatore, a recipe from Food Network.

Halves. To divide into two equal parts or almost equal sizes using a knife. In the sample recipe, the skinless chicken breasts need to be halved on the bone.

Mince. To chop or cut an ingredient into very small pieces. The garlic cloves in the recipe should be minced.

Pat dry. To dry an ingredient gently using a kitchen towel. The recipe requires you to pat dry the rinsed halves chicken breasts.

Season. To improve flavor by adding salt, herbs, or spices when cooking. You need to season the prepared chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Brown. To fry an ingredient in a pan until it changes color. Brown the seasoned chicken using a saute pan.

Simmering. To cook food in hot liquid below the boiling of of water or 185 degrees to 200 degrees F. You will need to simmer the mixture of ingredients as well as the browned chicken breasts.

These are just a small portion of cooking terms. There are more cooking terms out there and I will probably post other cooking terms in the future. Try the recipe to familiarize yourself with these basic cooking terms.

Food Choices To Beat The Summer Heat

Aside from cold beverages and drinks, there are other options you can consider to lessen the heat this summer. Certain food selections can help lower your body temperature, making you feeling refreshed and light. Here are some of the yummy goodies you can eat to beat the summer heat.

Cucumbers and Watermelons

Cucumbers and watermelon have naturally high water content that helps your body release heat. They also help replenish the fluids you lose due to your activities throughout the day. Just have a slice of crispy watermelon or put cucumbers in your salad for a refreshing meal. You can also opt for lettuce, spinach, and citrus fruits.

Olive and Pickles

The body loses more sodium due to constant sweating during this season. Therefore, you should eat food with high sodium content such as olives and pickles. Salty foods like these are used to obtain energy and replenish the sodium lost through sweat. However, chips and junk food are not healthy choices despite having high sodium content as they do nothing for your physiology during a heat wave.

Summer Soups

Summer soups or chilled soups tend to be cold, making them great help in cooling down your body’s temperature. The gazpacho soup and soups made from celery, avocados, and sweet potatoes are samples of chilled soups perfect for the hot weather. They will not only cool your system effectively but will also boost your mood and provide energy for the day.

These are only few of the food choices you have that can help you beat the heat. Look for these foods during your next meal to feel refreshed and cool this summer.