A healthy diet, also known as a balanced diet, is a dietary regimen that helps sustain or promote optimal health. It is a basic rule of dieting: If you over-feed your body, it gets out of balance and becomes unhealthy. A healthy diet gives the human body vital nutrition: sufficient food energy, macronutrient, fluid, micronutrient, and enough all the nutrients required by the body to function normally.
One of the best ways to ensure that you get all the essential nutrients in a balanced diet is to include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals. You should try to eat six portions of fruits and vegetables each day for optimum nutrition. The best way to ensure that you consume six portions of fruits and vegetables each day is to make a grocery list of the products you prefer. A good grocery list will include the major products such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, green beans, and cucumbers. In addition, some of the more uncommon fruits and vegetables include radishes, peas, spinach, kale, beets, sweet potatoes, and artichokes.
Another important part of a healthy diet is carbohydrates. Most people think of complex carbohydrates like pasta and bread as the “bad guys” on most lists of carbohydrates. However, there are many other sources of carbohydrates that are not as bad as other types of carbohydrates and are actually much healthier. When choosing a source of carbohydrates, choose complex carbohydrates that provide energy without increasing the risk of gaining weight. Eating whole grains is a great example of a complex carbohydrate that provides the body with both nutrients necessary for energy and can help the body metabolize fat.
Some fruitarians and vegetarians believe that fruit is completely prohibited in a healthy diet. However, fruit contains fiber, which may help regulate your appetite. Eating a variety of fruits is a great way to get a variety of nutrients while avoiding carbohydrates and excess fat. Keep in mind that most fruit contains a small amount of sugar. Vegetables and legumes also have small amounts of sugar, but it is usually very low and can be gotten from a variety of sources. Therefore, you can still have a wide range of nutrients and avoid the “fattening” carbohydrates found in junk food.
A healthy diet consists of portions of foods that are high in protein, yet low in fat. Animal products are another important part of a healthy diet because they contain the essential amino acids that the body needs. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and can be used in recipes or combined with nuts or fruits. Lean meats are also available and can be added to your favorite dishes without increasing the fat content. Steaks are another fine choice of meat.
While healthy diet plans do not always consist of only one type of food, the American Heart Association recommends a well-balanced diet with many vegetables and fruits. Fruits and vegetables contain essential fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They lower cholesterol, lower the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and contribute to weight loss. With proper nutrition and a balanced exercise routine, you can live a long, healthy life.