Choices For Good Health

We are asked to make choices everyday. "What's for dinner?" "What should I wear?" What time do we leave?" "Where are we going?" There is a choice in every decision and every choice has a consequence; some good and some bad. Research on a wide range of health issues has proven that if we make good lifestyle choices, we have the ability to limit our risk for diseases including heart disease, many types of cancer, strokes, and diabetes. Yet, many choose to ignore these recommendations and pay the price with their health.

Given the option of living a fulfilling, healthy life or facing serious health problems and even death, here are some choices we have.

1. Choose to eat more fruits and vegetables. Five servings or more a day of a variety of fruits and vegetables are low in fat and calories and provide disease-fighting vitamins and minerals.

2. Choose to move. Exercise has many benefits: stress reduction, reducing blood pressure, weight control, and building strong muscles and bones, to name a few. Beginning an exercise program, four to five days a week for 30 to 45 minutes and maintaining an active lifestyle will greatly decrease your risk for disease.

3. Choose to eat less fat and more fiber. Fat and fiber in your diet both give you a full, satisfying feeling after eating. But fat has a lot of calories–9 calories per gram–and fiber has little to no calories. Excess fat clogs arteries. Fiber removes fat from the blood. Fat increases your risk of disease. Fiber reduces your risk of disease. Consider eating less of fat laden red meat and more high fiber pinto, kidney or black beans. However, keep in mind that healthy fats—olive oil, nuts, and avocados—do have a place in the diet.

4. Choose to be informed. Learn information about your health from your physician, nutrition consultant, or personal trainer. What is your cholesterol level, blood sugar level, and body composition percentage? Learn to develop an individualized wellness plan to accomplish your health goals.

Now you have a choice: stay where you are or feel better with wiser choices. Which will you choose? Your future health depends on your answer.