For most of us, in our busy days we have countless important things to remember and endless “to-do” lists that just seem to keep growing… But we still want to make sure we keep our nutrition on point to promote a health heart, mind, body and skeletal system, as well as boost the immune system to fight against the effects of stress.
To simplify your life, here are 5 core daily nutrition needs found in a multitude of sources that should be incorporated into your daily intake. (At least this is a short “to-do” list!)
- Fiber: Integral to digestion, fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Fiber can also lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Add foods like raspberries, steel-cut oatmeal, lentils and cooked artichokes to get your daily dose of fiber.
- Vitamin D: The easiest way for your body to produce Vitamin D is through 15 minutes of direct sun exposure (no SPF!). This immune-boosting vitamin is essential for healthy bones and neuro-muscular function.
- Water: This one’s a no-brainer. However, there isn’t a universal formula for how much water you should drink. Daily needs depend on many factors including your overall health, activity level and where you live. A good guideline to determine whether you’re drinking enough water is that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day.
- Calcium: Most people know that calcium is important for proper growth and development of the skeletal system, but it can also aid in weight loss and the prevention of certain cancers like colon cancer. To get your daily dose of calcium, take a supplement or consume some calcium-rich foods like milk, bean curd or dried apricots.
- Omega-3’s: Omega-3’s are crucial for brain and heart health and also help your body fight cancer. Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil and certain plant/nut oils. English walnuts and vegetable oils like soybean, flaxseed and olive contain alpha-linelenic acid (ALA) while fish oil contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These fatty acids are powerful agents in reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and lowering blood pressure.