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Calories vs. nutrients - both are important

It's probably safe to say that most of you realize the importance of managing calories.

Eat too many calories and you'll gain weight; restrict your calories and you'll lose weight.

Although this is technically true, we put much more emphasis on the types of calories verses the amount of calories when we teach our clients about healthful nutrition - and so should you.

Our mentality is that our bodies run by burning nutrients, not just calories. Nutrients are substances your body absorbs from the foods you eat to create energy.

You could eat 1,200 empty calories and probably get through your day, but that doesn't mean your body is getting the nutrients it needs to thrive, such as a balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and many vitamins and minerals.

The list of nutrients you get from whole foods is almost endless in comparison to what you get in processed foods. For instance, two eggs and a banana have a better nutritional value than a typical bowl of cereal, even though they may have similar caloric values.

To maximize your nutrient intake while still keeping your calories in check, we recommend the following tips.

Choose foods that don't have ingredient lists

That is, choose natural foods that haven't been altered, like organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meat. These foods don't have extensive labeling, because what you see is what you get.

Severely limit your intake of processed foods

These are the foods that have the long ingredient lists. Read carefully, and if you're unfamiliar with any of the ingredients, find a different product.

How can you take control of your health if you're not even sure what you're eating?

Eat a colorful diet

Pick foods that span the rainbow of colors to ensure a multitude of nutrients.

The phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, blueberries, spinach, squash, and pomegranate diversify your nutrient uptake while still managing excess calories.

Eat fresh and in season

These types of foods have a greater nutrient density in comparison to frozen or canned foods and by changing your diet with the seasons, you also ensure variety.

Don't miss out on fresh corn on the cob or a ripe watermelon bursting with flavor this time of year.

Expand your cooking skills

What better way to confirm what you're actually eating than by preparing it yourself?

This allows you to incorporate more nutritious ingredients, while avoiding unnecessary additives like sodium, trans fats, and artificial sweeteners.

Cooking takes time, but it's time well spent. If you become more proficient at cooking, you won't have to rely on less than ideal options such as fast food or even skipping meals.

So take these ideas and learn how to incorporate them into your lifestyle.

No matter if you're looking for a fresh start or you just want to build on your current nutritional foundation, these tips will help to keep your health and weight in check.

For more exercise and nutrition tips, visit PushFitnessTraining.com for links to our blog and social media resources.

• Joshua Steckler is the owner of Push Fitness, a personal training studio located in Schaumburg specializing in weight loss, muscle toning, and nutrition. Contact him at PushFitnessTraining.com.

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