A Balanced Diet Can Keep You Healthy
Food is any material prepared with the intention of providing nutrition to an organism. The food we eat is comprised of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals or fiber, and is generally of plant, human or animal origin. It has been said that one out of each five Americans are overweight or obese, and a third of those over the age of twenty are considered “obese.”
People nowadays are paying more attention to eating nutritious foods. Health experts have also started to focus on the importance of dietary macronutrients in improving health. Macronutrients are nutrients that our bodies need in large quantities, but usually get cut out of everyday diets. In recent years, researchers have recognized that eating the right quantity of these micronutrients can help maintain our health and even prevent chronic diseases.
Protein The primary macronutrient is protein, which is made up of the amino acids cysteine, methionine, arginine and cystine. Protein can be found in many types of food, but the most prominent sources are meat, fish and poultry. Other food sources that contain large amounts of protein include nuts, beans and lentils. For those who do not like the taste of meat, there are many vegetarian options. Nuts, beans and lentils are rich in both fat and protein, but also contain a wide range of other nutrients. Nuts and beans are great food choices for building lean muscle mass, which helps you burn calories all day long.
Fats A major focus of healthy diet is reducing fats. For this reason, oils and margarine are always included in meals, as are butter, peanut butter and eggs. However, some foods may be classed as “bad fats,” because they can clog your arteries and cause cardiovascular disease. Examples of bad fats include trans-fatty acids found in margarine and vegetable oil. Fiber is also an important source of fat-burning nutrients, so including foods such as nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables in your diet that are high in fibre can help prevent weight gain.
Alcohol While it may seem like a good idea to include alcohol in your diet, the health benefits are not clear. It is important to limit the amount of alcohol you consume to one drink per day, because too much can lead to liver damage. Milk is an excellent choice for replacing alcohol but avoid red wine, coffee and wine with yeast. Other sources of alcohol include beer and vodka.
Diet and nutrition play a large role in the way we look and feel. Choosing the right food groups and balancing them with other foods can help keep us healthy. There are several different food groups, including carbohydrates, proteins, fruits and vegetables. It is important to eat regularly and to balance each of these food groups. People need a variety of foods and should include at least some of the different foods in each group in their daily diets. With a little effort, you can have a balanced diet that is low in fat and high in the essential nutrients that your body needs to function properly.