A balanced and healthy diet is the key to healthy living and eating. It is important to have the right food for maintaining good health. A balanced diet ensures that you get all the essential nutrients needed by the body in the form of vitamins and minerals. Here are some of the best tips for healthy eating and a balanced diet.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables â€“ One of the most important constituents of a balanced diet! You need to have plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of minerals, fiber and vitamins. To maintain a good balance, you need to have at least 5 portions of vegetables and fruits in a day.
Fish, Eggs, Beans, Non Dairy Sources of Protein – It is important to have fish, meat, eggs, nuts and pulses regularly as a part of diet. For a healthy body and mind, it is recommended to have at least two portions of fish in a week. If possible it is suggested to include portions of oily fish such as salmon and mackerel in your diet every day. Oily fish is recommended because they are rich in omega 3 fatty acids that help in tackling heart disease.
Limit Meat Consumption â€“ There are many types of meat that are very high in fat. It is important to cut down extra quantity of fat and meat skin. If you are too fond of meat, you can have it in grilled form, baked or in poached form rather than frying it. It is important to limit the consumption of processed meat such as beef burgers and sausages since these contain plenty of fat and can increase the risk of cancer.
Include Starchy Foods â€“ Starchy foods are rich in carbohydrates and these slowly release energy during the day. Starchy foods are a good source of energy and they make us feel full. This means you will have lesser quantity of food throughout the day and your snack consumption will be quite less. Starchy foods mean plenty of pasta, cereals, potatoes, rice and bread.
Milk and Dairy Products are a good source of protein, vitamin and calcium. You need to have low fat dairy food options such as skimmed milk and semi skimmed ones.
Fats In The Diet â€“ You shouldn’t cut out fat from your diet completely since fat is an important part of your diet. You should have less fat but the type of fat you are eating is also quite important. You should replace foods that are high in saturated fats that include cheese, butter and pastries. These foods should be replaced by foods that are made using unsaturated fats which are mainly olive oil and avocado. Sugary foods in the diet should be restricted as much as possible since these are rich in energy but do not have nutrients. Thus, to maintain a good balance in your diet or you will be prone to dieting mistakes.
If you are having an erratic lifestyle, you need to make some gradual changes in your eating habits. Never make real drastic changes in your diet overnight or you will fall prey to dieting mistakes. It is important to make day to day changes so that there is a long lasting effect.