"We are what we eat" - nutritionists from around the world would agree that the food we consumed has an important effect on our health and vitality. From the moment we were conceived and throughout our lifetime, diet is a very crucial role in helping us stay fit and healthy. A healthy balanced diet can protect us against serious illness such as heart disease and cancer, increase resistance to colds and other infections, boost our energy levels, help combat the stresses of modern living and improve physical and mental performance.
Our body needs over forty different nutrients to function and stay healthy. Some, such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, are required in relatively large amounts; others, such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements, are required in minute amounts but are nonetheless essential for health.
No single food or food group provides all the nutrients we need. This is why we need to eat a variety of different foods. Making sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs is easy if you focus on foods that are nutrient rich and dump those highly refined and processed foods that provide lots of saturated fat, sugar and calories but not much else.
Ten Principles of Healthy Eating:
Ten Principles of Healthy Eating:
- Enjoy your food
- Eat a variety of different foods
- Eat the right amount to be a healthy weight
- Eat plenty of foods rich in carbohydrates and fibre; whenever possible, choose wholegrain cereals
- Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and/or vegetables each day
- Keep sugary foods and drinks as a treat rather than something you consume every day
- If you drink alcohol, drink sensibly and stay within the safe guidelines. Women should note drink more than 3 units of alcohol a day and no more than 4 units of alcohol a day for men, with at least one alcohol free day a week.
- Choose reduced and low-fat dairy products when possible
- Aim to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day
- Avoid adding salt to food
