Health Chats
How To Eat Healthier: The Role of Vitamins, Minerals and Phytonutrients
Tuesday Dec 08, 2009, 05:00PM - 06:00PM (EST)
When the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released in 2005, the federal recommendations for fruits and vegetables increased from 5-9 servings to 5-13 servings per day for adults. Unfortunately, despite the recommendations and known health benefits of fruits and vegetables, 8 out of 10 Americans are not consuming these recommended intake levels – there is a “phytonutrient gap”. <br><br>
Nutrition plays a large role in your health and in the health of your loved ones. In this hourlong health chat, learn all about macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients - what they are, the role they play in your nutrition, how they affect your health, and how to eat healthier. Why should you eat vegetables and fruits of different colors? How can you supplement your nutritional needs? What should you look for when buying vitamins and supplements. Get the answers to these questions and more!
joujou_2009:
I haven't got really healthy eating habits. Some days I hardly eat anything but I always drink Pepsi or Coke (like two 2-liter bottles are gone in a day without realizing it). I don't eat fruit or veggies that often...hardly never. I eat mostly meat, rice, pasta, tomatoes & cucumber, etc...but I hardly eat junk food, occasionally takeout like KFC or kebabs or McDonald's. I just want to know how I can improve my eating habits as it's not as easy as clicking my fingers. Any tips? Thanks.
Amy Hendel:
Ok you think you are not eating alot of junk, but pepsi to me would be clasified as liquid candy.
Amy Hendel:
Lets agree that little habit changes can provide huge health benefits. Why not agree to add two to three servings of fruits and vegetables daily to start.
Amy Hendel:
Keep a journal and see if every month you can add another serving of a different color fruit or vegetable.
Amy Hendel:
Finally, while you go on this new journey, why not add in a natural plant based supplement. I happen to like Nutrilite concentrated fruits and vegetables. That will help fill your phytonutrient gap. Good Luck!
Amy Hendel:
And please consider reducing your consumption of Pepsi!
achika:
Can you tell me what my diet should be after delivery?
Amy Hendel:
I t can definately be a balance diet which can include an additional 200 calories above your regular intake if you are nursing. I would shoot for ten servings of fruits and vegetables, two fat free servings of dairy, about six ounces of lean or plant based protein, a couple to several servings of whole grains, and some healthy fats like avocado and olive oil.
Amy Hendel:
Depending on how much weight you need to lose you might take that concept and fit it into a certain number of calories daily.
waitingforit:
What are some of the best vitamins to take while trying to get pregnant? Something to help or make me more healthy. I have PCOS and I'm not taking anything at this time. Thanks so much.
Amy Hendel:
You are a perfect candidate for a visit or two with a dietician or nutritionist. You can certainly follow the outline I just gave as an answer to the other chat participant.
Amy Hendel:
Definantely think about taking a multi vitamin and adequet Folic Acid and adequet vitamin D. Again a help professional can help you with a specific diet.
icebala2000:
Can you recommend some good nutritious food to improve hormones, avoid fertility problems, and to improve quality of sperm?
Amy Hendel:
Not really but, I do beleive that eating a balanced diet that steers clear of alot of processed foods, targeting those colorful servings of fruits and vegetables and adding in a plant based supplement can certainly help to improve your health profile. You would be another good candidate to check out nutrilite.com/color for some great supplement options.
MedHelp:
That's all we have time for today. Thanks again to Amy Hendel and to Nutrilite for today's insightful health chat.
dhannawat:
Is there a particular supplement or food someone can take for frequent acidity and stomach pain
Amy Hendel:
I really think you need to get the opinion of a health profession who can get your full medical history.
Amy Hendel:
It has been my pleasure to answer these varied and excellent questions about nutrition and vitamins. I hope I have offered some food for thought on how you can improve your health profile by getting your daily dose of color and consireding taking some natural plant based supplements.
Amy Hendel:
Thanks so much for participating today in this chat!
Amy Hendel:
Dont't forget to visit nutrilite.com/color and check out the phytonutrients spectrum, try out your daily phytonutrient sbnapshot. And also check out the great inventory of natural plant based supplements. Bye for now!
