You are what you eat is an old but relevant saying which does not only point at your physique or physical stamina; but also a healthy mind. Your dietary habits and choices play a significant role in the quality of life, health and prolonged existence. A healthy meal, which is also called a balanced diet, supplies your body organs with essential nutrients they need to function maximally. Complete nutrition supplies our body with nutrients such as: vitamins, essential amino acids from protein, healthy fats from fat-containing food, food energy in the form of carbohydrates, minerals and anti-oxidants.
How to eat
A balanced meal should include fruits and vegetables. Eating a balanced meal daily is a key source of essential vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Also, the consumption of water is important for your health. Water helps in digestion, provides hydration, elimination of waste and makes nutrients and minerals accessible. They dissolve in water, which makes it possible for them to reach different parts of the body. A healthy meal plan is not complete without water.
There are types of food to avoid or limit their intake in order to live a healthy life. They include: added sugar and salt, refined grains, red and processed meat, alcohol, cigarette and highly processed foods. When our body systems take in too much of these processed foods, they bring harm to them. It is necessary that we have balanced nutrition so as guard our bodies against infections, diseases, fatigue and under performance. When we are free from all of these, our mind stays healthy too.
Furthermore, the number of calories in a food refers to the amount of energy stored in that food. Your body uses calories from food for walking, thinking, breathing, and other important functions. However, the source of your daily calories are also important. To maintain a good health, try to get your calories from foods that are rich in essential nutrients. Being active is important for weight maintenance. When you are active, your body expends more energy, and you burn more calories than you consume. This helps you lose weight. To lose weight, we will need to reduce the number of calories we consume and increase our physical activities, according to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Physical exercise helps to build our body structure, strength, maintain overall health and wellness.
What you stand to gain
Attaining and staying at a healthy weight requires both regular physical activity and a healthy eating plan. Just like eating healthy, physical exercise is also a significant component in the prevention of some diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It also helps us to maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, and strengthens the immune system. In addition, it reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Eating a healthy and balanced diet, complemented by regular exercise is vital in sustaining physical and mental health. Healthier lifestyles are also associated with improved sleep and mood. Also, food provides energy needed for physical activity. You need strength to carry on with your day-to-day activity. Consuming healthy foods and regular physical exercise may help you reach and maintain a weight that suits you. Again, physical exercise helps in preventing weight regain after weight loss which was achieved through diet.
Exercising can be gradual
We can engage in the following types of exercises daily. Now you do not have to do them all at once, you can spread them through the days of the week. The important thing here is, be engaged in one form of exercise or the other. They include; pushups, squats, standing overhead dumbbell presses, dumbbell rows, swimming, and so on. Each of these exercises has its positive effects on various parts of our body. Another thing is, for some form of encouragement, you can get a partner.
Staying healthy is at the top of almost everyone’s priority list. Our daily selections can determine just how healthy we are. We might not be able to control everything, but the habits and approaches we take to our health can often make a difference between being healthy and unhealthy. If you have questions about your diet or feel that you need to lose weight or change your eating habits, schedule an appointment with your doctor or dietician. They can provide dietary changes that will help you get the nutrition you need while promoting your overall health.
