Healthy Foods Basics

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”  - Hippocrates 

The next couple of blog posts will be about your diet and how to properly manage it to stay healthy. Eating healthy foods is very important when considering your health. Eating a balanced diet can provide your body with the essential nutrients it needs to function properly. Consuming a variety of foods from each food group is the best way to ensure you are getting the nutrients your body needs.  

The first food group is fruits and vegetables. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is essential for staying healthy. Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables ensures you're getting a variety of nutrients. It's important to choose a variety of colors to ensure a wide range of nutritional value. Aim for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Some examples of types of fruits and vegetables that are easy to eat include apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, carrots, cucumbers, spinach, and peppers. 

The second food group is grains and legumes. Grains and legumes are high in fiber, which is essential for digestive health. Eating whole grains is preferable, as they are higher in fiber than refined grains. Eating a variety of grains and legumes ensures you're getting a variety of nutrients. Aim for at least three servings of grains and legumes a day. Some grains that you can eat are bagels, tortillas, bread loaves, pasta, and rice. 

The third food group is dairy and dairy alternatives. Dairy and dairy alternatives are high in calcium and other essential nutrients. Dairy and dairy alternatives can include milk, yogurt, cheese, and plant-based milks. Choose low-fat or non-fat varieties to get the most nutrients. Aim for two to three servings of dairy and dairy alternatives a day.  

The fourth food group is lean protein. Lean protein is essential for muscle growth and repair. Lean protein can include poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and legumes. Choose lean cuts of meat and try to limit processed meats. Aim for two to three servings of lean protein a day.  

The fifth food group is healthy fats. Healthy fats are essential for hormone production and energy. Healthy fats can include olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds. You should try and intake unsaturated fats over saturated fats. Aim for two to three servings of healthy fats a day.  

Finally, it's important to limit processed and sugary foods. Processed foods are high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and sugar. Sugary foods are high in empty calories and can lead to weight gain. Try to limit processed and sugary foods and opt for healthier alternatives.  

To sum it all up, eating a variety of healthy foods is essential for maintaining good health. A balanced diet provides your body with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to function at its absolute best. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, grains and legumes, dairy and dairy alternatives, lean protein, and healthy fats ensures you're getting a variety of essential nutrients. Limiting processed and sugary foods is important for avoiding unhealthy fats, sodium, and sugar. Eating healthy foods is the key to staying healthy. 

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