Healthy Food
Determining a healthy eating regimen as a young woman can be difficult in an era wrought with hectic schedules and fad diets. Dieting methods need to be simple enough to use in every meal, making your diet a lifestyle change, not just a temporary fix. Success often hinges on creating a daily routine that can be tailored to your lifestyle and needs.
Preparation
Detoxification is a good way to launch your new healthful way of eating. The body becomes dependent on processed foods that are packed with preservatives and additives. A detox or fast will eliminate toxins stored in the system.
These toxins can cause everything from allergies to long-term health problems and mood swings, according to Sara Rose, author of "The Process of Cleansing and Restoration: Detox." A fast will wean the body off of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine. With a clean slate, a healthy diet will be even more valuable.
There are many intensities of detox, ranging from water fasts to only excluding certain foods. If fasting for the first time, a reduced diet that eliminates junk food, meat and cow's milk may be the best option. The "master cleanse" is a popular, yet intense, fast where you will only drink a concoction of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water. A fast can last from three to 14 days.
Essentials
Choosing to replace junk foods with healthier options at a young age will decrease chances of health problems later in life. A young woman's diet should focus on giving healthy options to a cleansed system. Plan out at least three meals a day, plus light snacks. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially greens. Replace dairy with almond, rice or soy milk. There is a range of herbal teas to replace caffeine drinks.
Meat creates stress on the system when breaking down, and red meat is full of saturated fats. The American Cancer Society recommends against eating large amounts of processed meats and red meats. Replace meat with tofu, nuts, yogurt, eggs and oily fish as sources of protein.
Eating organic foods will avoid adding pesticides to the body. Avocados, brown rice, garlic, lemons and olive oil are all packed with excellent nutrients. Also, drink eight or more glasses of water a day to hydrate and flush the body.
Supplements are an important source of nutrients as well. A daily multivitamin will provide a variety, but always consult a doctor before taking any new supplements.
Cravings
There will be days when sugars and a big juicy burger are too tempting to resist. Don't get discouraged if you slip from the regimen. Snack between meals on fruit or nuts to reduce snacking on junk food.
Cut-up vegetables, such as broccoli, are a great snack to have available in the fridge. If a hunger craving is persistent, drink plenty of water to fool the stomach into feeling full.
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