Eating is irreplaceable in our lives, as we need foods to keep our body functioning. Food has been varied with so many variations and new flavors. Indeed, our food is not as real as 30 years ago.
Nowadays foods are boosted with flavor enhancers and many chemical boosters to make our foods tastier. Some foods are also high in fat, making the foods not healthy and bringing more harm to our bodies.
To live healthy with a balanced diet, you need to know how much your body needs nutrients. Adults need more vegetables and fruits. As we get older, our need for vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants is also increasing. Thus, consuming more fruits and vegetables is recommended.
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Understanding the Balanced Diet and How to Achieve It
A balanced diet is the first step to a healthy, happy life. If you opt to be healthy even when you’re getting old, then having a balanced diet is important. However, many people don’t know what a balanced diet is.
So, here are some things you need to know about a balanced diet:
- A balanced diet is a meal habit where you eat foods with nutrients your body needs.
It doesn’t link to anything specific. However, our body has their own needs. You can have different nutrient needs compared to others, depending on sex, age, and activities.
- If you want to have a balanced diet, you need to know how many calories you need in a day.
Some applications are available to help you count your daily calorie needs.
- Some people believe a balanced diet is one in which calories come from legumes, whole grains, fresh veggies, fresh fruits, nuts, and lean proteins.
It means less fat from animals like poultry and meat needed.
Applying a balanced diet is important for everyone who wants to age gracefully. The key to a balanced diet is your life habit. So, you need to apply it every day in your life.
Benefits of Fruit and Vegetable Salads for Health
Consuming healthy foods like fruit and vegetable salads are one of the easiest things to do to get a healthy body. If you still eat some fat from poultry and meat, consuming fruits and vegetables can help you a lot to get the nutrients you need.
So, what are the benefits of eating salad daily? Here are some things you can get :
- Fruits and vegetables contain lots of fiber
It makes you full longer as the volume is big. The fiber also takes more time to be processed in your tummy. It causes you to feel full for a longer time.
Fiber is also good for everyone who has digestive problems. If you want to maintain your digestive system healthy, then you need to consume enough fiber in a day. It also makes your metabolism faster, meaning your body is always fresh and energized.
- Natural antioxidants
Many fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that will be beneficial for your body. It renews the cells and makes your body fresher.
Fruit and vegetables, with their high antioxidants, will make you feel much fresher and younger. It rejuvenates your body and keeps your condition at its prime. Of course, you’ll not regret consuming it.
- Have you ever felt more refreshed after consuming fruits and vegetables?
Of course, you might experience it. It is normal because fruits and vegetables are high in water and vitamin. As the nutrients are absorbed into your body, you will feel refreshed.
- Our body needs calories to function. When you eat more veggies and fruits, you can cut your calorie consumption. As you feel full longer, you will reduce how many foods you eat.
Choose some vegetables like kale and spinach. They are rich in nutrients and will make you full longer. If you want, combining them with some other veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and paprika will also make it yummy.
- You will also get healthier fats to consume.
In your salad bowl, you can combine fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other sources of healthy fats. Although you still consume fats, it is way healthier than the ones you get from meat and poultry.
If you like, you can also add some dressing to boost the flavor. However, it is not recommended to add too much dressing, especially the one which is high in fat and sugar.
Living a healthy life will bring so many benefits to your body. Besides giving more energy to your body, it also gives you more than enough nutrients to make your body function. It also keeps you from getting any illness.
Salad Dressing: Smash or Pass?
People love salad dressing. Maybe, you also love it to the point you can’t resist eating salad with heaps of delicious dressing. However, you need to realize that dressing is not a good option if you want to live healthily. You need to get it just enough to boost the taste.
Some recommended salad dressings are the natural cashew and nut spread and olive oil. Dressings like cheese, mayonnaise, and other commercial salad dressing should be avoided to make sure you eat only the good nutrients in your salad bowl.
Now you know how healthy meals can affect your body. So, are you going to get it?