28 | NOVEMBER 21 • 2024 

N

utrition can be confusing. 
Every day seems to bring 
a new headline declaring 
what’s healthy and what’s not, 
whether it’s the Mediterranean 
Diet, low-fat, low-carb, DASH, 
vegan or high protein. With all this 
diet-of-the-minute hype, it’s hard 
to know what we should be eating. 
Let’s cut through the noise, go back 
to basics and focus on nutrients.
Nutrient density is the right 
place to start when trying to 
understand good nutrition and 
achieve a healthy, balanced diet. 
This concept refers to how much 
nutrition you get from food 
compared to its calories, with the 
goal being to maximize health 
benefits. Think leafy greens, 
broccoli, berries, nuts, seeds and 
quality protein shakes for nutrient-

dense choices. A doughnut? Not so 
much.
“It’s important to remember that 
fresh, natural foods play a key role 
in our diet, but they aren’t always 
accessible to everyone,” says Luigi 
Gratton, vice president of the office 
of health and wellness at Herbalife. 
“By taking a holistic approach to 
healthy eating, we can complement 
fresh meals with food supplements 
and other nutrient-dense options 
to help achieve a balanced intake 
of macro- and micro-nutrients.”
Here are six tips to get more 
nutrient bang for your calorie 
buck.

THINK COLOR
Try this easy nutrition hack: 
Load your plate with a variety 
of colorful vegetables and fruits. 

Why? A diverse range of colors 
ensures you’re getting a wide 
array of vitamins, minerals and 
antioxidants.

GO FOR WHOLE GRAINS AND 
LEAN PROTEINS
Choose whole grains like brown 
rice and whole-grain bread. 
They’re packed with fiber and 
nutrients. For protein, opt for lean 
sources like chicken, fish, beans 
and tofu — great for your body 
without too much saturated fat.

DRINK SMART
Staying hydrated is key to feeling 
your best — physically and 
mentally! Water helps your body 
make the most of the nutrients in 
your food and flushes out what it 
doesn’t need. Just be careful: Many 

drinks are loaded with hidden 
sugars and empty calories. 
 Aim for about eight glasses of 
water a day, but feel free to adjust 
based on your activity level and 
personal needs. Unsweetened 
drinks like tea or infused water 
count toward your hydration, too.

ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL
Make it a habit to read food labels 
— they’re key to understanding 
nutrition. Just because something 
looks healthy, like yogurt, doesn’t 
mean it is. 
 Check for added sugars and 
watch the sodium levels in diet 
meals. Aim for lower fat and salt, 
and higher protein, fiber, vitamins 
and minerals. This will help you 
make smarter choices about what 
you eat.

Confused 
About Nutrition? 

(BPT) 

BOOM | HEALTHY EATING

Here are 6 expert tips to help you eat healthier.

