Balance diet and its importance

    

What Does a Balanced Diet Look Like?

How can you tell if your diet is balanced? You know that some foods are good for you, like fruits and vegetables, while others are unhealthy, like candy and deep-fried foods. However, when it comes to what’s in the middle – protein sources, grains, dairy products – it can be harder to know whether or not you’re eating what you should be eating. Here’s how to tell if your diet is balanced and healthy.

Eat Breakfast

Eating breakfast is important because it kick-starts your metabolism, helping you lose weight by burning more calories throughout your day. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that people who ate breakfast lost an average of about 5 pounds in 3 months. That’s just breakfast; it doesn’t even include lunch or dinner! Of course, eating balanced meals at regular intervals during the day will help keep your metabolism humming along.

Stop Eating Sugar

Did you know that eating too much sugar can actually make you feel hungry, rather than satiated? Sugary foods have been proven to lower your blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar drops, your body overcompensates by producing more insulin to bring your blood sugar back up—which causes a spike in hunger. That’s why it’s important to follow what is considered balanced diet guidelines and not avoid specific food groups altogether.

Make Water Your Drink of Choice

Sometimes our bodies tell us we’re thirsty, but what we really need is water. If you usually grab a soda or juice to quench your thirst, stop and think about whether or not you’re actually dehydrated. It might be smart to make water your drink of choice when you feel thirsty to see if it helps curb cravings. Drinking several glasses of water throughout the day can help balance out any excess salt in your diet and will keep your body hydrated for optimal health.

Eat Plenty of Protein

Protein is key to balancing diet; you need to eat it regularly throughout your day. The recommended daily intake of protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight—or at least 90 grams for most women and 130 grams for most men, according to dietitians at Tufts University's Center for Nutrition. That's only about 10 percent of total calories.

                              

                               

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

A balanced diet usually contains five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day. So if you want to know what does a balanced diet look like, look no further than your local farmers’ market or grocery store produce aisle. Just make sure to eat those delicious veggies raw—boiling, roasting, and steaming them can result in up to 25 percent of their being wasted through leaching or decaying.

Try to Limit Bread, Pasta, Potatoes, Rice, etc.

A common mistake many people make is that they think about what to cut out of their diet, instead of focusing on what they should eat more of. Instead of trying to eliminate foods from your diet, think about what you need more of. These might include healthy fats and proteins, which are great for boosting energy levels and keeping you satiated between meals. Some other essentials for balancing your diet include

Add Physical Activity Into Your Day

Along with diet, exercise is just as important to your overall health and wellbeing. Just 30 minutes of activity per day can make a huge difference in how you feel. So choose activities that make you happy, whether it’s walking, dancing or running—or better yet, try them all! Not only will they help keep your body healthy and energized, but they’ll also boost your mood.

Balance Micronutrients (Vitamins and Minerals)

There are several vitamins and minerals that humans need to survive, and they’re all essential parts of a balanced diet. These micronutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins. Here are some key nutrients to keep in mind when planning your diet