Four Tips for a Healthier Lifestyle

I strive to live a healthy lifestyle.  I want to feel as good as I can, for as long as I can.  If there are diseases and health conditions that are preventable, I'm going to do all I can to keep them away.  I have been looking into heart health lately and noticed the tips for keeping your heart healthy have many other benefits as well.  Also, they are things that I have been doing for years now that make me feel better everyday.  

The American Heart Association has simple recommendations for good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.   I have compiled a few here but check out their site if you have a chance to read more.  There is so much information out there on health it can be confusing, but I think the four tips below are the basics for living healthier.
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1.  Use up as many calories as you take in each day.  Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.  If you are unsure how many calories you are taking in and/or burning, there are a variety of apps and websites that can track it for you.  My Fitness Pal is one of my favorites.

2.  Eat a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, skinless chicken, fish, nuts and legumes. Avoid foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce/eliminate trans fat in your diet.  Limit your intake of sodium to under 2.400 mg a day.

3.  Eat less nutrient-poor food.  Limit your intake of sugar and processed foods.  Food is fuel for your body, how's it going to run with poor quality fuel?

4.  Don't smoke and drink alcohol only in moderation.