Healthy Balanced Diet
Many people inwardly groan when they hear the phrase “a healthy balanced diet.” Why? Because junk food can taste so good! But there are many reasons why eating healthy is necessary and beneficial. It needn’t be a drag. There is much variety in healthy food choices, so meals need not be boring or tasteless.
Balancing your diet is important to maintain a healthy weight and to keep your physical strength and energy up. It is not all about being thin or looking great, although that is a fantastic feeling.
The most important thing is that you are healthy. Choosing the correct types of food can decrease your risk of heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Healthy food helps to boost your immune system and make you less susceptible to general illnesses.
There are five basic food groups. A healthy, balanced diet consists of eating appropriate amounts from each group daily. The first food group is high in fiber and starches—bread, cereal, grains, rice, pasta, potatoes, and noodles. You should have a little bit of fiber with each meal throughout the day. These foods are also rich in vitamins from the B complex.
The second food group is fruits and vegetables. You should try to eat at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables daily. Overcooking vegetables takes out the large amounts of Vitamin C, so avoid that. Green leafy vegetables are high in Vitamins A and B9 and potassium. Another way to get our fruits and vegies each day is to enjoy a berry Feast daily.
The third group is dairy products. These foods are rich in calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, since these products can also be high in fat, limit yourself to 2-3 servings per day.
The fourth food group consists of meat—fish, poultry, and red meat. Nuts, beans, and lentils are included in this food group as well. Red meat is an excellent source of iron and vitamin B12. Leaner cuts of meat, with the fat trimmed off are healthier for you. You should eat approximately 2 servings from this food group each day.
The last food group is foods containing fats and sugars. Examples of this would be butter, cream, ice-cream, cooking oils, mayonnaise, salad dressings, cakes, biscuits, chocolate, sugary drinks, and pastries. While utterly delicious, these foods are high in fat and calories. They should be eaten in very small amounts.
Eating healthy can even benefit those around you. When you eat well you have more energy to do things with others. Your mind is sharper and clearer on a daily basis. Your immune system is keeping you from getting sick frequently. You are able to cope with the daily stresses of life much easier. All of these things will have a positive impact on those around you.
As with everything in life, moderation is key when maintaining a healthy diet. If you continually deprive yourself of things you love, you will simply crave them more. It is important to allow yourself the freedom to have very small portions of whatever you desire, but don’t let food rule your life. You will soon see that when you keep up a healthy balanced diet you feel better about yourself, and everyone around you can see that too.
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Healthy Balanced Diet