Balance Life with Balanced Diet!

Summer means hot sun, sweat and discomfort. On a brighter note, summer means ice creams, cool drinks, mangoes and all that too J

In the quest to quench the thirst and beat the heat, we go to any extent. We drink lots of juices and never count the calories. We will be concentrating so much on het that we forget to notice that we are gaining weight. Although we know that sugar is not so good for health, we don’t stop ourselves from sipping cool drinks or eating ice creams.

Finally, with the monsoon, reality also hits us like the rain. We realize that we do not fit into most of our old clothes anymore. We try to hit the gym, do yoga, start walking and what not – but we also realize that monsoon is a great climate. We end up snuggling within the comforts of warm blanket.

So, for all you (like me), the best way to get away with those extra calories and love handles is by sticking to a balanced diet - A diet that contains the proper proportions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. This helps in maintaining good health.

After all, a Spanish proverb profoundly says, “A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.”

BENEFITS OF A BALANCED DIET

\     Helps in achieving happy and healthy lifestyle.

\     Boosts immunity

\     Protects from diseases like obesity, diabetes, certain types of cancer, etc.

\     Helps to achieve/maintain adequate body weight.

Our busy lifestyle and general attitude of nothing-will happen-to-me has made us neglect our health. We eat whatever is readily available and don’t really care if it is a balanced diet. Our aim has become – “Kill the hunger” from “eat healthy”!

THREATS OF NOT TAKING BALANCED DIET

Æ     Slow-down in metabolism

Æ     Weight gain

Æ     Bone weakness

Æ     Nutrients deficiency

Æ     Weak immune system

Æ     Cardiac stress

Æ     Heart palpitations

BALANCED DIET IS ALL ABOUT

ü  Eating the right amount of food

ü  At the right time

ü  And, including a wide range of foods

RANGE OF FOODS YOUR SHOULD INCLUDE

Þ     Fruits

Þ     Vegetables

Þ     Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods

Þ     Milk and dairy foods

Þ     some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein, if possible

Þ     just a small amount of foods high in fat and sugar

1.   Warm water mixed with honey and lemon juice every morning:

Cleanses liver. Helps weight loss. Provides Vitamins (B & C) and minerals (magnesium, calcium & phosphorous).

                                                             

2.   Eating healthy breakfast within 2 hours of waking:

Long term health benefits like reduced obesity and controls deceases (blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes).

                                                             

3.   A healthy & balanced diet (approx. 2500 calories daily):

Including fresh fruits (nutrients), green vegetables (vitamins & minerals), whole grains, nuts and beans (proteins) and dairy products (Calcium & Vitamin D) and limiting unsaturated fats and sugar content is the key.

                                                    

4.   Eat small portion, frequently, than 3 square meals:

Eat every three hours, and stop eating three hours before bedtime. This increases metabolic rate and energy levels, and helps in weight control.

                                                             

5.   Daily intake of 2 to 3 liters of fluids (except soft drinks and alcohol):

60% of body weight being water, benefits of regular fluid intakes are enormous.

                                                             

6.   Regular exercise and physical activity (at least 30 minutes a day):

Great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun.

                                                             

7.   Sleep for 7 to 9 hours every night for being healthy:

Improves memory, creativity and immunity. Sharpens attention, lowers stress and depression.

So, take care of your body. Because that’s the only place you can live!

So my dear readers, eat healthy. Stay healthy J

PS: Written as a part of Honey Diet - A Sweet Alternative!