| A healthy diet is beneficial for everybody. It is important | | | | Not having the time to plan meals or not being able to |
| to take good care of your body and if you eat well, | | | | cook is no excuse for poor nutrition. You can make a |
| you will certainly feel the difference. A nutritionally | | | | batch of food and freeze or refrigerate it or you can |
| balanced diet can be enjoyable and interesting. | | | | have food or ingredients delivered to your door. It can |
| What is Nutrition? | | | | be fun to experiment with cooking and you will get |
| Nutrition is all about eating the right foods to nourish the | | | | better results if you use fresh ingredients. You will also |
| body and keep it functioning and developing well. | | | | know exactly what goes into your food as a lot of |
| Nutrients are the substances found in these foods | | | | pre-prepared meals contain high levels of fats, salt or |
| which your body uses and can be broken down into | | | | sugar. |
| macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients | | | | Because a good diet ought to be balanced, you can |
| include fats, proteins, water, carbohydrates and some | | | | still have treats sometimes. You should not deprive |
| minerals. Micronutrients are vitamins and some | | | | yourself completely of your favorite foods, so the |
| minerals. Your body requires more macronutrients but | | | | occasional slice of apple pie or bowl of ice cream is |
| both are important. | | | | fine. You can choose your foods and make |
| For optimum health and performance, the body needs | | | | substitutions when appropriate. You could perhaps try |
| proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and | | | | baking or grilling your food rather than frying it. Eating |
| water. It is also important to eat regular meals to | | | | less saturated fat will keep your blood cholesterol |
| provide ongoing fuel and energy. | | | | down. |
| What Foods Should You Eat? | | | | It might be a good idea to take vitamin and mineral |
| The most important thing in a healthy diet is balance. A | | | | supplements to ensure you are getting everything your |
| good selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, proteins | | | | body needs. The simplest way to do this is to get |
| and grains is good for you. Some examples of | | | | combined supplements and take one a day. |
| nutritionally rich foods include meat, fish, nuts, beans, | | | | Supplements are to be used in addition to a nutritionally |
| fresh fruit and leafy vegetables. Wholegrain foods | | | | balanced diet, not instead of it. |
| contain more nutrients than their processed | | | | Exercise is as important as nutrition to keep the body |
| counterparts. Wholemeal bread, for instance, is tastier | | | | healthy. If you are eating healthily, you will find you have |
| than white bread and is also healthier. | | | | plenty of energy for physical exercise, in whatever |
| What Happens if Your Diet is Nutritionally Poor? | | | | form you choose. |
| Eating a healthy, balanced diet reduces the risk of | | | | Your body gets used to a new way of eating within a |
| diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood | | | | few weeks so you will find you don't miss eating junk |
| pressure and cancer. A bad diet can also cause | | | | foods if you used to eat a lot. A nutritionally balanced |
| lethargy, obesity or spots. A nutritionally balanced diet | | | | diet is essential to maintain overall health and keep you |
| can help you maintain a normal weight, which helps | | | | looking and feeling your best. |
| your overall health. | | | | |