The Secret to Staying Healthy: Eat Healthy!

It’s no wonder people consider “diet” to be among the worst four-letter words. The truth is, what you take in for energy has a direct correlation to your overall health. Quality of food is certainly important, but don’t think you can’t eat well on a budget.
In fact, healthy foods are becoming more and more accessible, through the advancements in supply-chain and shipping technologies. Many people now have their groceries delivered to their doorsteps on a regular basis. This includes fresh meats, produce, and all the ingredients that go into making a deliciously healthy home-cooked meal.
Even better is to start your own garden. Although time – and labor – intensive, there is really nothing better for you than freshly cut vegetables. And besides, spending quality time out in the garden with your heart-rate elevated is a great way to burn fat. Although our growing season is somewhat short here in the Pacific Northwest, a bumper-crop of certain vegetables is still quite dependable year after year. For example, in our garden we have had wonderful luck with Peppers, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Squash, Onions, Lettuce, and much more. Tomatoes are notoriously iffy in the Pacific Northwest due to the time for them to vine-ripen. But even still, green tomatoes can be used in a number of excellent recipes. My favorite being Green Tomato Pie, which tastes very similar to Apple Pie, and was sometimes used as a substitute way back when.
Vegetables are a cornerstone of any well-balanced diet, and you probably remember that from your childhood. But they are important for many reasons. Unprocessed vegetables contain loads of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients that support good digestive and internal health. Vegetables contain Unsaturated Fats, which are generally healthier than Saturated Fat found in meat.
High-Protein, low-fat meats are a very important element of a well-balanced diet. Saturated Fats found in red meat, chicken and pork, although harmful in large amounts, are essential to maintain proper health. Too much saturated fat can result in high cholesterol and should be avoided.
There are many diet-related recipes out there that can get you on the right track with your diet. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before embarking on any major diet. And don’t put too much faith in those short-term fad diets. Unless you make a long-term change to the food you take in, don’t expect much in return.
When in doubt, schedule an appointment with a qualified health professional like Dr. Van Coevorden. At RVC Medical, we will work with you to develop your long-term health plan to accomplish your personal goals. Call us at 425-557-4227 and schedule your free consultation today!