Can anyone give me info on healthy eating?

[Sandra]

I am trying my hardest to get me and my family into healthy eating routine but I am not sure if I am doing it right for our health needs.

I am on several medications that have the risk of weight gain and I also need to lower my cholesterol level by lets just say major amounts.I am now at the highest weight I have ever been even when I was pregenate. I am not happy with how I look at this time and I have never been one to worry about my looks. I think it is more my worry about my health.

My husband needs to lose considerable weight as well. I feel that his weight has affected his back, he has severe back pain. I think it has also caused him to develop sleep apnea but it has not been diagnosed yet.

My daughter is in athletics and the coaches need her to gain a little weight and put on some muscle mass. She eats all of the time but never gains weight. She eats mostly fruits and veggies but does eat a little meat.

My son is very small for his age and is very thin. He also eats quite a bit but is also a little picky. He needs to gain weight and muscle mass for sports as well.

Now that I have covered our basic indivdual needs here are my main questions.

1. What is the proper calorie breakdown...Protein, Carbs, Fats?

2. What are some foods that are high in Protein but lower in fats and Cholesterol? (I can not eat eggs or any type of fish)

3. I have been tracking my foods and activities on Livestrong.com and it takes your weight and activity level to show how many calories you need to eat to meet your loss goal. So does that mean I have to eat all of the calories? ( I have been eating how I feel is healthy but I have not been able to eat as many calories as it shows. It seems I would be eating all the time.)

4. What are the best veggies and fruits to eat?

5. How can I hide the veggies that my kids won't eat and have the nutrients still intact?

6. My kid and I have been eating a lot of fruits! Is that O.K.?

Well I guess that about covers all the questions at this time and I appreciate anyone who takes the time to give me help with attaining my goals for me and my family to get healthier.

Thank you all.

P.S. The reason I am so concerned is that I lost both of my parents to heart disease when I was only a young teenager and I do not ever put my kids through the pain I have lives with all these years. Also I am unable to join a gym at this time so all of my exercise will be done at home with walking, stability ball, tennsion bands, and a few exercise videos.

[Kayjay309]

http://www.mypyramid.gov/

This is a great website to start with. It will help you figure out what is right for everyone. Just remember your kids need a well balanced meal and dont play that game with the sports that this one needs to gain this and lose that. Sports can be very dangerous to a kid's heart especially if for instance a boy has to gain for football and then lose for wrestling. Teach your kids to eat well for life so its a life long habit and they are not trying to figure out what you are now. Fruit is great but just remember too much of anything without balance isnt good either. Dark green leafy veggies...use dark varieties of lettuce and make a salad with other veggies and fruits and nuts. Make casseroles to hide the veggies with other meats and ingredients. Fortunately my kids love the veggies...its me that has to hold my nose when I eat them...lol. The disease process is scary it is amazing how all the major dieseases like stroke, heart attack, diabetes, ect. all connect. Good luck. Hope this helped a little.

[jones34]

Here I'm sharing With You Some Of the basics Tips Of Healthy Breakfast:
Even though you know a healthy breakfast has many benefits, you may not be sure what exactly counts as a healthy breakfast.

Here's what forms the core of a healthy breakfast:

* Whole grains. Options include whole-grain rolls, bagels, hot or cold whole-grain cereals, low-fat bran muffins, crackers, or melba toast.
* Low-fat protein. Options include hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, lean slices of meat and poultry, or fish, such as water-packed tuna or slices of salmon.
* Low-fat dairy. Options include skim milk, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheeses, such as cottage and natural cheeses.
* Fruits and vegetables. Options include fresh fruits and vegetables or 100 percent juice beverages without added sugar.

Together, these core groups provide complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein and a small amount of fat — a combination that packs big health benefits and that also can leave you feeling full for hours.

Try to choose one or two options from each category to round out a healthy breakfast.