"You are what you eat". It is so true, no matter how we may look. I was skinny before I made fitness my life but I certainly wasn't healthy. I was the queen of junk food and the word "nutrients" did not exist in my vocabulary. Today I enjoy the healthy foods I eat as much as I enjoyed my junk food then. The best thing is that I still enjoy my chocolate and other "bad" foods, but the healthy way. Today's article is dedicated to all of you who are as tired as I was of being and feeling like a bag of potato chips. The good news is that there are only two things you have to consider in order to eat good and healthy:

#1 - You need to know how to eat right, and

#2 - You need to know how to make yourself eat right

When it comes to "how to eat right", it is rather simple. All you need to do is stick with the basics, meaning to include all 6 components of nutrition into your diet. As most of you know, the six components! nutrients are Carbohydrates (fuel), Protein (growth and repair), Fat (another fuel), Vitamins and Minerals (essential nutrients for different body functions) and Water (the source of life and survival).

For most people the 40-30-30 concept seems to work the best. Meaning 40% of your food should consist of carbohydrates, mostly complex carbs like rice, potatoes, bread (whole grain), pasta, cereal and vegetables. Some simple (sugar) carbohydrates like fruit are also good. 30% should be lean protein like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs (in moderation), beef (only lean parts like filet mignon) and beans and 30% should be fat from good sources / un­saturated fats like olive oil, canoia and fish oils.

Somebody that participates a lot in weight bearing activities should put a focus on protein. Your diet should consist of 40% carbs, 35­-40% protein and 20-25% fat. Endurance athletes should focus on carbohydrates and fats from good sources, let's say 45% carbohydrates, 25-30% protein and 25-30% fat. If you would like to shed some unwanted pounds you should eat very low fat, moderate carbs.