Jennife Way

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Vegetarianism is quite popular today; many vegetarians choose to forgo animal products entirely (vegans). Vegans need to work a bit harder at maintaining good nutrition since the foods they eat do not naturally contain certain substances, primarily vitamins B12 (from meats) and D (from milk). To maintain good nutrition, vegans need to make sure they are getting enough B12 and D, either from natural sources or supplements, and also ensure they are eating enough protein-based foods to maintain muscle mass.

When buying prepared foods, avoid those that have sugar, corn syrup or fructose listed among the first several ingredients. Try your best to look for alternatives that have a low sugar content. There are now many foods available, including mayonnaise, salad dressing and ketchup, that you can buy in sugar-free versions.

Planning your meals and grocery shopping ahead of time will make it easier to maintain a healthy diet. Stick to your shopping list when you are at the store so that you won't be tempted by unhealthy snacks and junk food. Make sure your meals are giving you all the nutrients you need to stay healthy.

Include two servings of oily fish in your meals each week. The fish contains DHA, which may reduce Alzheimer's and other memory related diseases. Usually people with high levels of DHA do better on memory related tasks and vocabulary tests, even as they age. Look for tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring, and trout. Two 6 oz servings of fish are recommended for optimal nutrition.