The Herbalife Nutrition Philosophy is based on "balanced nutrition — a combination of healthy foods and supplements that help you meet your daily needs, coupled with the right calorie balance to help you lose, gain or maintain your body weight"*.
* Susan Bowerman M.S., RD, CSSD, CSOWM, FAND – Senior Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training, Herbalife Nutrition.
What does your body need?
Think of your body as a machine – like a machine, how well your body runs will depend on the quality of the fuel you put in it. Also, like a machine, your body will need to be well maintained for it to perform well.
You will notice that Rest, Hydration and Exercise are part of the Herbalife nutrition philosophy, as well as the balance of macronutrients.
Let us cover a couple of definitions of terms used in the Herbalife Nutrition Philosophy, in case you have not encountered them before:
What are Macronutrients?
The clue is in the name; a nutrient that we need to consume in larger quantities to provide us with energy and the building blocks of our bodies.
What are Micronutrients?
Again, the clue is in the name; micronutrients are mostly nutrients that we need to consume in very small amounts, such as vitamins and minerals.
Protein
First, your body needs protein. This macronutrient is essential to virtually every cell in the body, as well as being great at satisfying hunger.
Protein supports muscle growth and maintenance and is important in the production of hormones and enzymes. You need to eat protein every day as your body uses it all the time.
In fact the Herbalife Nutrition Philosophy suggests that up to 30% of your daily calories should come from protein.
The Herbalife 5 small meal plan is made of a mixture of Herbalife protein sources and lean protein from regular foods, as recommended by Herbalife’s nutritional scientists, to ensure that you meet your daily nutritional requirements.
Link: Read more about the Herbalife Nutrition Weight Loss Plan
Carbohydrates
Next your body needs carbohydrates. Another macronutrient, carbohydrates are used as fuel (energy) and it is important to eat enough for daily activities – up to 40% of your daily calorie intake.
We have daily meal plans and recipes put together by Herbalife’s nutritional scientists and our own in-house qualified Nutritional Therapist, to ensure that your daily nutritional requirements are met.
Click here for tips on choosing the right carbs
Fats
Fat is the next macronutrient on the list – as mall amount of healthy fats is essential for normal bodily function. No more than 30% of your daily calories should come from healthy fats but be aware that fats are a very concentrated source of calories, so portion sizes should be kept small!
Click for healthy fat sources and portion sizes
A Herbalife Nutrition source of healthy fats, with approved claims: Herbalifeline® Max is a food supplement rich in Omega-3 essential fatty-acids EPA and DHA, which contribute to the normal function of the heart as well as maintenance of normal blood pressure and blood triglyceride levels. DHA also contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and vision.
Fibre
Fibre is another key part of a healthy diet and people often fall well short of the recommended daily intake of 25g. Fibre is great at filling you up, but more importantly it supports digestion and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract.
Link here for a list of great regular food fibre sources
Water
Next, Water! Given that our bodies are 70% water it is no wonder that staying hydrated is crucial. Water helps control your body temperature, it transports nutrients to cells and keeps joints lubricated. It is also needed to get rid of waste. The general recommendation is to drink at least 2 litres of water a day.
Click here for tips on increasing your water intake
Micronutrients, vitamins and minerals
Of course, we also need the micronutrients, vitamins and minerals which play important roles in the chemical reactions your body performs daily, and some minerals also play a structural role (e.g. calcium and magnesium). A healthy balanced diet helps to provide the vitamins and minerals needed, but it is a good idea to add a multivitamin to your daily intake to ensure you are getting everything you need.
Click here for more on sources of vitamins and minerals
Phytonutrients
Finally, we need phytonutrients, natural compounds found in plant foods which give fruit and vegetables their colour and which boost our immune system as well as reducing oxidative stress. The Herbalife Nutrition Philosophy recommends eating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables daily, to ensure we get the various beneficial plant compounds that our bodies need.
What does your body need? - Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a variety of things to consider and structure into your healthy meal plan. Remember, this is about feeling your very best and there is no doubt that when you start fuelling the body with what it needs you quickly start to feel better in terms of your energy and vitality.
Link: Read more about the Herbalife Nutrition Weight Loss Plan
