Diets Guide
Diet is the most important part of good health. Remember Affirmation’s ‘..Junk food tastes so good because its bad for you..’? Why eat junk when there are healthier diet options available?
The secret of getting it right with your diet is to go for a balance of the four major food groups:
Vegetables and Fruits
Grain Products
Dairy Products
Meat (or alternative) Products
The key nutrients of your diet are:
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Vitamins
Minerals
Moreover, never forget water, your best health drink! Drink at least 5 to 10 glasses of water everyday.
Your diet should have a balance of the listed food groups and ingredients. Individual requirements also have a bearing on the kind of diet you should eat. For example, a person recuperating from an illness, a sportsperson, a lactating woman and a diabetic person, all have different dietary requirements. Contrary to popular belief, meat is not indispensable in your diet. You can get the same nutrients from vegetarian sources.
A balanced diet also involves avoiding certain products. Limit your alcohol intake. Stop smoking! Avoid too much fat and cholesterol. Moderate your levels of salt and sugar intake. Avoid a lot of caffeine. Do not eat anything that is likely to interfere with your medicine.
Some advantages of a balanced diet are:
Increased resistance to illness.
Increased stamina.
Right body weight.
Emotional well-being.
Help in fighting existing ailments.
Speedy recovery from disease or accident.
Refer to the table below to get an idea about a balanced diet.
|
Category | Sources |
Vegetable and Fruits
5 to 12 servings per day | Carrots, Broccoli, Salads, Bananas, Apples, Juices |
Grain Products
5 to 10 servings per day | Breads, Cereals, Bagel, Pastas, Rice, Buns |
Dairy Products
2 to 4 servings per day | Milk, Cheese, Yoghurt |
Meat and Alternative Products
2 to 3 servings per day | Poultry, Fish, Eggs, Beans, Peanut butter, Soy products |
Tip: A perfect diet has a balance of vegetables and fruits; grain products; dairy products; and meat and alternative products.
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