As we have repeatedly stressed, eating a balanced diet is an important factor for a healthy life. You require as many as 40 nutrients for energy and normal growth in addition to water, which is very crucial for survival.

The ideal diet is one that keeps you fit and with a feeling of well-being, but not over/under fed, and which gradually educates you to like the foods that are good for you and avoid those which make you put on weight rapidly. It is surprising how much your eating habits can change once tried. Women who have given up sweets for quite a long time rarely find they want to eat very much of them even when their diet ends! You may ask.

WHAT ARE THE FOODS THAT ARE GOOD FOR US?

Carbohydrates, proteins and fats – so called energy nutrients – provide fuel in the form of calories.

PROTEINS

Proteins support growth and repair of tissue and help produce antibodies, hormones and enzymes, all essential for chemical reactions in the body. Protein sources in the diet include meat, fish, dairy products, poultry, dried beans, lentils, nuts and eggs. The diet that is deficient in protein very speedily results in your feeling tired and listless.

FATS

Fats are generally found in butter, cheese, cream, margarine, cooking oil etc. Dietary fat protects internal organs, provides energy, insulates against cold.
There are three kinds of fats :

• Saturated found in meat, dairy food and coconut oil
• Monosaturated found in olive, peanut and canola oils and
• Polyunsaturated found in corn, cottonseed, safflower, soy and sunflower oils.

If you cut out fats completely you loose a lot of your resistance to colds and your skin suffers.

CARPBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates, the body’s main energy source, are divided into two types: simple carbohydrates (i.e. sugars) and complex carbohydrates (ie starches, found in flour, potatoes and bread), the sugars in sweets, honey, jams, and of course sugar it self. If you cut these out completely, you are inclined to feel tired more readily and also to feel cold.

In addition your diet also supplies important micronutrients called the vitamins and minerals. Even though they are needed only in very small amounts, the absence or deficiency of just one vitamin or mineral does cause major illness. Your body also needs a supply of the indigestible portion of plant foods. A high fiber diet reduces the risks of various gastrointestinal problems and promotes cardiovascular health. Fresh fruits and vegetables: the vitamins contained in these assist in keeping one well and healthy.