Nowadays, people are extremely conscious about their health. Long office hours, business targets, peer pressure and fast foods have adverse effect on our health. In order to stay healthy, a balanced diet is a must.

 

A balanced diet comprises of major food groups such as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat alternatives. Balanced diet contains fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, water and fibre in correct amounts. A varied selection of foods should be consumed everyday. The basic food groups provide right amount of nutrients for good health and proper functioning of the body. A balanced diet helps in controlling body weight, blood pressure, heart rate and improves muscle performance, blood sugar and overall performance of the body. Balanced diet should contain plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and reduced amount of saturated fats to prevent diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, cancers and anemia.

 

Food pyramid is an excellent way to educate people on how to eat healthy and stay healthy. It guides us on how much amount of each food group should be taken to stay healthy.The pyramidal shape is a diagrammatic representation of the proportion of each kind of food group in an ideal diet. The constituents on the broader base of the pyramid should comprise majority of your diet whereas the group on the tip should be consumed in moderation. The base contains cereals, rice and and food made of grains. The next stage is the one that is plant-based. Vegetables and fruits are needed for vitamins, minerals and fiber content. The meat group comes next. The tip comprises of fats and oils which should be consumed in moderate proportions. The proportion of different elements depends on age, sex, size and lifestyle.

 

Another important factor is intake of water. In order to regulate body temperature and for detoxification, adequate intake of water is a must. To remain healthy include exercise in your daily routine. The benefits of exercise are reduced risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, prevention of bone loss, increased energy levels, decreased stress and tension, assistance with sleep, increased muscle strength and prevention of chronic illnesses.

 

So eat healthy and stay healthy.