Eating right for good health means eating the right foods in the right amounts! Most people in India are overweight, have high blood pressure, and have high cholesterol levels. A lot of this is because they don’t eat the right foods and, in some cases, they eat too many. They do not give much weightage to food health and fitness. Let’s talk about Food Health and Fitness.
Eating right is the cornerstone of healthful living. The trick is to get enough of the right stuff and avoid too much of the wrong stuff. After all, “You are what you eat.” Healthy eating habits are also important for weight control vital for a slimmer waistline, better self-image and less stress on your body. And there’s an added bonus: A healthier diet gives you more energy.
Indian diet
The standard Indian diet is a far cry from the recommendations above. It’s high in saturated fats and high in carbs, processed snacks and fast foods; high in sugar from soft drinks, desserts and candy; and low in fruits and vegetables. That’s one reason why so many Indians have poor health and feel tired all the time. One out of five adults suffers from chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer diseases that could be prevented or delayed by a healthy diet.
What foods should be included in a healthy diet?
Eat a range of fruits and veggies every day. Try to eat at least 3-4 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This can be a mixture of any type of fruits or vegetables that you like. When you are choosing fruits, choose fresh or frozen instead of canned varieties when possible. If you buy canned fruit make sure it does not contain added sugar. Avoid fruit juice because it has a lot of sugar and very few vitamins. Eat whole fruit instead of drinking the juice. You should also try to eat three different types of vegetables each day. If you’re having trouble getting enough vegetables, try drinking vegetable juice as a substitute for fruit juice.
When trying to get in your daily servings of fruits and vegetables, snack on them throughout the day instead of waiting until dinner time. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories, which is why they make great snacks between meals but don’t overdo it by eating more than one serving at a time.
Just like a car needs regular maintenance to run smoothly, your body needs a steady supply of good food to perform at its best. The nutrients and energy in food give your body the fuel it needs to work properly. But if you’re not careful about what you eat, you can put your health at risk.
Food supplies your body with everything it needs to function properly:
Nourishment – The nutrients in food, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins and vitamins and minerals, give your body the material it needs to work properly. Without proper nourishment, you become malnourished and your health suffers.
Fuel – Food supplies energy for all of the activities that support life: breathing, pumping blood through your veins, digesting food and so on. Without enough fuel, bodily functions slow down or stop altogether.
Refreshment – Food gives you temporary energy when you need a pick-me-up — while exercising, for example — but most of that energy is used immediately and doesn’t last very long. You also need water to keep your organs functioning properly; without enough water, they fail.
Mood stabilization – Food affects the brain the same as drugs do — some foods cause an initial feeling of well-being followed by drowsiness or depression.
Regular exercise is also important for good health besides eating right
At the same time, it’s important to understand that eating right is not just about food and drink but also exercise. All the 3 things that are food health and fitness are important. The right exercise program will help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, which can lead to death. It will also strengthen your bones and muscles, improve your coordination, balance and posture, and help prevent or relieve back pain. You can also reduce stress levels and improve your mood when you exercise regularly.
Learn more about food health and fitness on the internet.
