The Importance of Eating a Balanced Diet Ask anyone around, and they will tell you that the fastest way to become healthy is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and to exercise regularly. But studies have shown that 37.5 of adults in the United States are obese.
Countering the Threat of Obesity Obesity results from eating an excess of fats and sugars, and basically not consuming a well-balanced diet. Although trying to eat a well-balanced diet can seem an almost insurmountable task, with determination and effort, it can be a reality. One of the keys to eating a well-balanced diet is not to ban or omit certain foods. This is the downfall of most weight loss and diet plans. In order to eat a well-balanced diet, it is a good idea to focus on getting the right amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. There are variations to this equation, but in general, these are the most important foods to focus on. But keep in mind that we’re discussing a wellbalanced diet. This means that each type or category of food is consumed in balance with the other categories of food.
The Importance of Proteins Let’s talk about proteins first. Proteins are important for the body because they help the immune system to work more efficiently. They also help with the maintenance and building of tissues and organs in the body. There are several foods that will give you an adequate amount of proteins, while giving you other vital nutrients that your body needs. These foods include: beans, nuts, and whole grains. If you want to eat animal meat, the best choices are going to be fish and poultry. If you want to eat red meat, make sure that your portions are lean. The next most important category of food is fats.
Fats: Good and Bad Fats are widely misunderstood in our society today. The word “fat” brings to mind images of foods that are exceptionally greasy and not fit for consumption.
With fats, it is just important that you eat the right kind of fats. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated have been shown to be healthy for people and to lower bad cholesterol levels. Foods with these healthy fats include: avocadoes, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and olive oil. Saturated and trans fats are the fats that should mostly be avoided. If you must consume these types of fats, make sure to do so in limited quantities. The intake of these types of fats has been linked to heart disease and unhealthy levels of cholesterol. Another crucial category of food for the human body is carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in general have a bad reputation in society today because so many diet programs eliminate the consumption of carbohydrates altogether. But carbohydrates are important to eat because they give us energy. Some carbohydrates that are good for you are whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Some carbohydrates that are bad for you are processed foods like candy, cookies, and sodas. If you need help sealing your healthy foods for later consumption, you can use vacuum sealer bags to help you in this process. Vacuum sealer bags are essential for anyone looking to start eating a more healthy and well-balanced diet.