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Nutrition
Without a doubt, nutrition plays a major role in the maintenance of life for humans. Food, after all, is our most basic survival need. Beyond survival, however, we need to treat food with respect to the ways it can affect our health especially in the prevention of diseases like cancer, heart disease, strokes and diabetes, to name a few.
Nutritionally Balanced Meals
The quantity and quality of foods consumed on a daily basis must be adequately monitored so as to achieve a balance between survival needs and health requirements. This can, of course, be achieved through nutritionally balanced meals and snacks that provide the adequate amounts of all the basic food groups and all the essential vitamins and minerals.
Most diet and health experts agree on the general guidelines for good daily nutrition as outlined below:
Stick to complex carbohydrates contained in whole grains like rice and wholegrain breads with as little additional fat as possible.
Milk and dairy products should be limited to 2 3 portions daily, each portion representing a matchbox sized cheese, one third pint of milk and a small pot of yoghurt. The low fat varieties are preferred in these foods.
Limit your consumption of protein sources like meat, fish and vegetarian alternatives as well as kidney beans, baked beans, nuts and lentils to 2 3 portions. You want to limit your protein intake especially when losing weight since it can be stored as fat once the body stops processing it.
Aim for at least 3 portion of fruits and 2 portions of vegetables whether these are of the fresh, tinned and frozen varieties. Better yet, eat as much fruits and vegetables as you can since these contain many essential nutrients.
Opt for unsaturated fats found in food like fishes. Fat is still a very important component of proper nutrition as it is the body s source of fuel and energy.
When you follow these basic guidelines on nutritionally balanced meals, you have greater possibilities to lead a longer, healthier and happier life.
Special Considerations and Food Allergies
However, there will be special considerations for specific medical conditions as well as food allergies that need to be factored in when considering nutritionally balanced meal plans. The aim of healthy eating, after all, is the promotion of life, not the diseases that come with life. For example, if you have gout, eating beans of all sorts will be detrimental to your health and, hence, must be avoided. Some diseases like autism also call for special diets that are gluten free, thus, eliminating virtually everything that has flour in it.
There are food allergies affecting good nutrition. If you have an allergy to a certain food, say, milk and dairy products, it is often best to just find alternative protein sources like fish to compensate for its absence in your diet. Also, if you are on a weight loss diet, you must avoid fad diets that severely restrict any of the essential food groups. Think low calorie, low carbohydrate and low fat diets. It is best to adopt healthy eating habits, engage in moderate exercise and physical activity and get adequate sleep when you want to maintain your ideal weight.
Indeed, good nutrition for a healthier body and a happier mind is possible. |
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