Healthy eating and drinking habits
Proteins, vitamins, and minerals are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and most of them come from the foods we eat. Want to learn more? Check out the extra information below!
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient for the body to grow, repair cells and function properly. It is therefore important to incorporate it in your diet. Luckily, protein is found in a wide range of foods! There are different sources that include plant proteins, for example, like beans, lentils, nuts and whole grains. Then there are animal proteins, like lean meat, beef, poultry, fish and sea foods, eggs and poultry, and of course dairy products.
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The amount of protein needed depends on your weight, gender, age and health. Although protein can be used as a source of energy, it should be consumed together with vitamins and carbohydrates. Very high protein diets are dangerous, because they can strain the kidneys and liver. On the other hand, too little protein consumption can cause problems as well. It can, for example, lead to a deficiency that can lead to the wasting and shrinkage of muscle tissue, oedema (a build-up of fluids, particularly in feet and ankles), anaemia inability to deliver sufficient oxygen to the cells, resulting in deficiencies such as lack of iron, and slow growth in children. As such, make sure that you keep an eye on your protein intake and regulate it.
The plate method
The journey to healthy living can be quite stressful. Especially when trying to manage a diet, because food portion and size play a key role. Therefore, it is always good to use the plate method that involves dividing the plate into 3. Half of the plate should be full of vegetables and fruits. The other part should be divided into 2 sections - a quarter for proteins and the other quarter for carbohydrates. This plate method ensures you take twice as much fruits and vegetables than the proteins and carbohydrates. Since fruits and vegetables contain plenty of fibre, they reduce the digestion process and therefore gives one a fuller feeling as compared to proteins and carbohydrates.
Fruits and vegetables
Eat more fruits and vegetables. They are a great source of dietary fibre, antioxidants and phytochemicals or plant chemicals. These are biologically active substances that are key ingredients in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, obesity and other lifestyle diseases.
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It is important to aim for a variety of fruits and vegetables as well. They are low on fat, sugar and salt, and therefore reduce obesity, lower your cholesterol as well as high blood pressure and blood glucose. Due to their fibrous nature, fruits and vegetables make you feel fuller for a longer time and prevent overconsumption and constipation. So, eat a rainbow of colourful fruits and vegetables to get a wide range of health benefits!
