It is safe to say that we truly are what we eat. After all, a diet rich in processed food and sugary drinks will leave a person feel sluggish and malnourished whereas a balanced diet is thought to be the secret to a long and happy life. With this said, many people do not know what it takes to formulate a balanced diet. Luckily, the team here at The Healthy Living and Fitness are the experts on your side. Read on as we go over everything there is to know about crafting a balanced diet…
Protein
As the building blocks of life, protein is an essential macronutrient that should make up at least 30-40% of a person’s daily intake from food. After all, it is how the body repairs and makes new cells! Luckily, protein can be obtained from a range of different places and is particularly abundant in meat like chicken, turkey and fish. With this said, vegetarians can obtain their protein intake from non-animal sources like tofu, chickpeas and lentils.
Carbohydrates
There are a range of diets that promote the complete removal of carbohydrates from the diet, however this is incredibly dangerous. After all, this macronutrient is how we obtain the energy our body needs in order to function. It can be found in three forms: sugar, starch and fibre and some are healthier than others. After all, simple carbs, the ones that are added in the form of sugar, are the ones that cause weight gain. On the other hand, complex carbs like the ones found in pasta, potatoes and whole wheat bread are starch and fibre sources so should be implemented in a balanced, healthy diet.
Fats
In comparison to protein and carbohydrates, fats are a macronutrient that is incredibly calorie dense. After all, just 1g of fat is equivalent to 9 calories which is why a lot of unhealthy food has a high calorie value even though the portion size is rather small. With this said, fats can be found in two forms: saturated and unsaturated. It is the latter that our diet should include, and these fats can be found naturally in avocados, olives, fish and nuts. After all, unsaturated fats are a necessary part of a balanced diet and help the body absorb vitamins A, D and E as well as creating the cushioning that protects our vital organs.
Although a balance diet should be filled with fruit, vegetables, protein and healthy fats, it is important that people give themselves the leeway to consume traditionally ‘unhealthy’ food too. After all, statistics suggest that most diets fail because people try too hard to avoid takeaways and chocolate when a creamy curry or cheesy lasagne is a perfectly respectable addition to a balanced diet. Royal Nawaab is an authentic Indian and Pakistani restaurant located in Manchester and London and serves traditional dishes that can be implemented as part of a healthy and balanced diet.