How to Eat Healthier in 2020
With each new year, we tend to set new resolutions for ourselves. We all want to step out on the right foot, change bad habits from the previous year, and improve the outlook for the next 365 days ahead. It should be no surprise that one of the most popular goals people focus on is eating healthier.  If you’re looking for the 'New Year, New You’ mindset, you’re definitely not alone. That’s why we reached out to Khalid Saeed, D.O. of Tampa Bay Concierge Doctor for his insight on how to eat healthier in 2020 and actually stick to it.
"We’ve all heard the cliché - 'You are what you eat.' What you put into your body affects how you feel overall and how you live your life. For example, eating fried or greasy foods can make you feel sluggish, have a skin breakout, and upset your stomach. Food equals mood! That's not to say you should never indulge. You want to set your body up for success so you can have pizza every now and then. That means taking time in your day to nourish your body properly. You get out what you put in!” - Khalid Saeed, D.O.
Vitamins are produced by plants and animals, and are the essential building blocks our bodies need to sustain life and make sure our cells are functioning properly. Minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are inorganic and come from rocks, soil, or water. Humans absorb them by eating a plant or animal that has lived in that environment.
Vitamins B, C, D, and E are the most commonly talked about vitamins, so here's a quick breakdown of what they do:Â
 B vitamins can help you support the conversion of food to fuel.
Vitamin C is most commonly found in citrus fruits. It plays a role in supporting immune function.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient needed to support your bones and immune system.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps your cells fight off free radicals.
Make it a habit to include a multivitamin in your daily routine. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals should also be at the top of your list. Eat fruits like grapefruit, papaya, kiwi, oranges, and mangos. Eat leafy green vegetables, root vegetables, and legumes. Most importantly, don't forget to hydrate!
Probiotics
Eating foods with probiotics is a game changer. Probiotics are good bacteria that help maintain the community of microorganisms that naturally live in your body (also known as a microbiome). Our microbiome plays a major role in making sure the daily operations of the human body go smoothly. Probiotics help keep your microbiome happy. While you can take probiotic supplements, an easy way to get what you need is by eating particular foods. Anything fermented like kimchi, pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, kombucha, yogurt, and kefir contain helpful probiotics that help support digestive and  immune health.
Proteins and Antioxidants
The body uses protein to build and repair tissues and make enzymes and hormones. Protein is also an essential building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. Eat chicken, turkey breasts, and fish, like salmon, tuna, halibut, and cod. Eggs (especially egg whites) are full of protein. Vegans can opt for tofu, lentils, chickpeas, beans, nuts, and chia seeds to name a few.
Antioxidants are important for overall health because they fight oxidative stress in the body. Some of the most delicious foods contain tons of antioxidants. These include blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, red grapes, artichokes, dark chocolate, beans, plums, dark leafy greens, and pecans. Health never tasted so good!
