Women's Nutrition

Nutrition for Women

One of the biggest problems Americans face today is obesity. A huge contributor to obesity is our unhealthy style of eating. Many people tend to eat portions that are way out of line. Those portions often consist of foods that are high in calories, fat, and cholesterol. These foods not only lead to weight gain, they also increase one's risk for health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.

As a woman, you go through many changes during your lifetime. At each stage of life, you have special dietary needs. By eating a healthy diet, you can ensure that those needs are met. This is one of the best ways to show that you care about yourself.

To make sure that you get all the essential nutrients each day, you should begin with a basic, well-rounded diet. The Food Pyramid provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is a wonderful guideline for planning your daily meals that are rich in vitamins and minerals. The pyramid is designed to help you get the most nutrition out of the calories you consume.

A balanced diet consists of lean protein, complex carbohydrates (i.e. fruits, whole grains, and veggies), and moderate amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats ("good fats"). Olive oil is an example of a good, healthy fat. Saturated fats are unhealthy, and it's best to avoid them. Lard is an example of a saturated (bad) fat.

Good fats are necessary to aid the body in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Without essential fatty acids in your diet, your skin would become dry, and your hair would become brittle.

Foods rich in calcium are a must in a woman's diet. During childhood and adolescence, calcium helps build strong bones and teeth. Calcium has been shown to reduce PMS symptoms; it promotes healthy pregnancies; and, as a woman ages, calcium helps in the prevention of osteoporosis. Because the body absorbs calcium slowly, the best sources of calcium are naturally occurring rather than in supplement form. Cheese, milk, and yogurt are good sources of calcium.