Read on, to discover what is a healthy diet. Follow this healthy eating food guide: what to increase, and where to cut down and base your diet on these easy-to-follow rules.
Healthy eating is simple really, once you know exactly what are the best choices, and what to avoid.
This healthy eating food guide tells you what you can eat freely and where to cut down. Take a look at it every time you plan a meal or go food shopping. Soon, healthy eating will become second nature, and you'll make the best choices without even thinking about it.
My take on deciding what is a healthy diet is simple. I'm the first to admit that it isn't very scientific, but it makes perfect sense nonetheless. All you do is choose fresh, unprocessed foods and cook them from scratch as often as possible. Include lots of fresh fruit and veg, plenty of wholegrains, and some protein. Avoid processed foods as much as you can. Drink water. Cut down on fatty foods, salty and sugary items. Steam, simmer, broil and bake your food, but don't fry it. Reduce fat from cooking methods wherever you can do so without sacrificing flavor. Keep your alcohol intake down. And that's all there is to it. For other ideas, check out the Healthy Eating Guidelines.
EAT PLENTY OF THESE…
Include some of these items from the healthy eating food guide every day.
Fruit and vegetables You need at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and some experts think that 8 portions, or more, are even better. Choose seasonal fruit and vegetables when you can for the best vitamin content.
Starchy foods Choose wholegrains varieties of bread, pasta, rice and other carbs. Include several portions from this group every day: potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, cereals.
Protein foods Have 2 servings from this list every day: fish, poultry, lean meat,eggs, beans, peas, nuts and lentils. Opt for low-fat varieties, trim visible fat from meat. Aim to eat oily fish twice a week.
Milk and dairy Milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais. Good sources of protein and calcium, but high in fat, so keep intake to 2 portions daily, and choose low-fat varieties.
Water Not a food, but your body still needs it. Drink 1.5 litres a day.
CUT DOWN ON THESE…
These are the bad guys in the healthy eating food guide. Avoid whenever you can.
Fatty, sugary foods and drinks Eat less of these. Choose low-fat or low-sugar varieties, and serve small portions. Cakes, biscuits, pastry, potato crisps, chips, ice cream, cream, mayonnaise, sweets, chocolate, butter, margarine, low-fat spreads, cooking oils, salad dressings, fizzy drinks.
Alcohol Keep to the limits suggested by governments for men and women. Spread drinks through the week, don't binge.
Refer to these lists often as you plan your menus - they'll help you keep tabs on what is a healthy diet, and what isn't.
