A Healthy Diet For a Healthy Body
A healthy diet provides a variety of foods and beverages to give you the nutrients your body needs. It helps prevent overweight and obesity and may reduce your risk of some non-communicable diseases.Most importantly, it is a balanced diet. It includes a range of foods from all the food groups, including fibre-rich fruits and vegetables; starchy vegetables (potato, yam, maize or rice); protein-rich beans, nuts and seeds; and healthy fats. It also includes moderate amounts of low- or no-fat dairy foods, as well as other protein sources like lean meats, skinless poultry and fish. It contains adequate levels of sodium and other minerals, and avoids foods high in saturated fat and added sugar.A diet high in ultra-processed foods contributes to weight gain and unhealthy shifts in blood sugar and cholesterol. These processed foods often contain added salt, sugar and unhealthy fats as well as less-than-healthy amounts of vitamins and minerals.The best way to ensure a balance is to eat a wide variety of foods and to choose unprocessed, whole foods as much as possible. Unprocessed foods are higher in fibre and many other essential nutrients, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.Fruits and vegetables are a vital part of any diet, providing key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help maintain good health. Aim for 5 portions a day of a mix of fresh, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables. You can count a glass of fruit or vegetable juice, milk or smoothie as 1 portion, but it is better to keep these drinks for mealtimes to reduce the sugar intake.Lean meats, skinless poultry and fish are healthy sources of protein and contain important vitamins and minerals. Try to eat fish at least twice a week, especially oily fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.Replace some of the saturated fat in your diet with healthier unsaturated fats, found in oils such as canola, olive, peanut, safflower or soybean. Unsaturated fats can lower cholesterol and help protect against heart disease.Try to limit your intake of foods and drinks that are high in added sugar, which include desserts, jellies and soft drinks. Opt for sugar-free versions of these foods when available.Limit the amount of salt you eat, especially in prepackaged or restaurant meals. Read the nutrition label on packaged foods to find the lowest-sodium options. When cooking at home, add flavor with herbs, spices and other herbs instead of salt. Use cooking methods that are lower in fat - bake, roast or steam rather than fry. Try using a no-sodium seasoning or stir-fry sauce to add flavor.