A good diet or healthy diet is of the utmost importance for the optimal functioning of our body . In addition to having a healthy body, it contributes to having greater energy when performing different activities .
But, it is very important to know how to differentiate a good diet from a healthy diet and other similar concepts . This time we will delve into the subject to learn more about it.
What is a good diet and what is it for?
What we define as a good diet is nothing more than the set of foods consumed by the human being, with the purpose of covering the needs and obtaining the energy and essential nutrients . The metabolic and organic functions of our bodies depend on everything we consume.
That is why it is important to have a good diet and complement it with an exercise routine. It is worth noting that maintaining a healthy diet during all stages of life will translate into great benefits for the body. With this, we will also avoid some illnesses and health conditions due to the intake of unhealthy foods.
In the case of children, food plays a fundamental role for proper growth, the development of their organic functions, and in the prevention of some diseases. It also contributes to a good performance of the brain functions used for learning.
How do I know if I’m not having a good diet?
Surely you have ever heard that “healthy body, healthy mind”, a very common phrase to define a healthy lifestyle . However, not everyone knows the role that food plays in our day to day . There are five types of nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals), in addition to fibers, which must be consumed daily for best performance .
If we do not have a good diet , our body will begin to send signals due to a lack of nutrients. Among these signs can be highlighted tiredness, fatigue, joint pain, digestive problems, constipation, constant sleep, anxiety; or other more severe ones such as cardiovascular diseases due to the excessive consumption of fats, sugars and white flours.
The best way to avoid these inconveniences is, without a doubt, to maintain a good diet, balanced, complete and full of nutrients , adjusted to our needs, taking into account age, weight, size and sex; remember that not all people require the same portions and food .
Is a diet necessary to have a good diet?
Although on many occasions diet is often confused with how to lose weight; The diet refers to the set of foods, in balanced portions, that we consume daily. In this case, to have an optimal diet , it is necessary to have a healthy, balanced and diversified diet that helps us obtain the necessary energy and nutrients.
According to experts, people currently consume a greater number of hypercaloric foods, free sugars, salt, fats; so this should be substituted with a higher amount of vegetables , fruits, and whole grains. The ideal for a good diet is:
- Consume 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce free sugars (sweets and sugary drinks) and white flour (white bread) to 10%.
- Consume less than 30% fat.
- Substitute saturated fat and trans fat for unsaturated fats (present in fish, olive, sunflower, soybean, canola, nuts, and avocado or avocado oils).
- Include vegetables in all meals.
- Consume less than 5% salt.
- Limit consumption of fried, baked, and packaged foods.
- Consume skimmed dairy products.
All this will help not only to have a balanced diet , but will also contribute positively to our health, helping to improve organic functioning .
Interesting facts and advice on a good diet
Having a good diet from an early age guarantees us better health, greater physical and intellectual performance and a good body composition . In this sense, Nutrition without further ado gives you some tips to achieve a good diet and improve the diverse consumption of food.
- Implement self-monitoring : It’s a very simple strategy. It consists of a daily record of everything we eat, specifying in it all the ingredients and the amounts consumed, with the purpose of improving the choice of food and the size of the portions.
- Avoid sugars : gradually eliminate the consumption of sugary foods and drinks or white flour that are harmful to health . This type of non-recommended food tends to cause some problems such as obesity and diabetes due to the degree of sugar with which they are made.
- Identify healthy foods : there are foods that can be consumed in large quantities such as vegetables; therefore, they should be included in the allowed food groups that are consumed daily because they will help to have a healthier pattern and improve nutrition.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.