Healthy eating habits begin by being educated about foods, reading labels, and making smart choices. Prudent nutrition recommendations include eating fresh fruits and vegetables (less processed), whole grains (dark colored grains are generally better than light colored), low-fat dairy products, and lean sources of protein (fish, turkey, and chicken). Alternate protein sources include things like beans, nuts and soy products. Additional smart choices include regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, and a limited amount of salt, sugar or oils. A healthy diet should be balanced, and  include a variety of foods and recommended servings from each food group. Additionally, it is important to understand what an appropriate portion size is for a food and to be familiar with examples from each food group. General serving recommendations [...]

Fitness includes both the physical and mental aspects of life needed to achieve overall well-being and quality of life. Developing a fitness program should incorporate physical activity as well as relaxation and stress management. Implementing such a program into a daily routine can improve energy level, mood, sleep, physical condition, health, and can also reduce the risk of disease. When starting a fitness program, it is important to seek advice from a knowledgeable healthcare professional, who can help develop a workable program tailored to a person’s health, ability, schedule, and goals. The American Heart Association recommends “at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 5 days per week,” (i.e. brisk walking, riding a bike on level ground, cutting the grass) or “at least [...]