Important Components of a Healthy Diet

May 28th 2009   ·   0 Comments

In order for you to have a healthy diet you need to know what to eat. 

 

Here are some ideas for a healthier diet:

 

1.     Carbohydrates. Are a good source of fuel for your body.  They allow you to be able to do the physical activities required of you. Good sources of carbohydrates are whole grains like brown rice. They are also rich in antioxidants that will help you fight free radicals that could lead to cancer. Whole grains are also good in preventing cardiovascular diseases. 

 

2.     Proteins are needed for the body’s growth. They are also needed for repairing worn out cells and tissues. Lack of protein could lead to stunted or slow growth and reduced muscle mass. Good sources of protein are meat, fish, chicken, milk, beans and eggs. For snacks, you can have walnuts and almonds as your sources of protein.   

 

3.     Vitamins and minerals. They are essential to maintain normal body processes. They also help boost the immune system for your body to fight infections and diseases. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of these. You should always have fruits and vegetables in every meal. If you want to have snacks or in between meals, always consider having fruits or vegetables first. You can turn them into fruit or vegetable shakes or you can combine them to make a salad.

 

4.     Fats. Many think that fats are bad for the health so they should not be part of the diet. Actually, it is not recommended that you take away fats in your diet altogether because they nourish the brain, heart and nerves. What you should do is to choose the good fats and avoid the bad ones. Also consider the amount you are taking in. The bad ones are the saturated fats and trans fats while the good ones are the monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Good sources of monounsaturated fats are olive oil and oil from nuts like peanuts and almonds. Good sources of polyunsaturated fats are fish oils.

 

A healthy diet should include portions from all these food groups. Just take note that you should have these in moderation.

Tags:  carbohydrates, cardiovascular disease, diet, fat, health, healthy diet, vitamins

By madpooch3