The Best Diet Of All - The Balanced Diet

The Balanced Diet

A healthiest diet of all is one that is balanced. This means eating the right amount of food for how active the you are, and eating a range of food from the five main food groups.

Including:

• carbohydrates, which contain lots of energy and nutrients and are found in starchy foods, such as bread, pasta and potatoes.

• protein, which helps the body to grow and repair itself, is found in meat, fish, beans and eggs

• fruit and vegetables

• milk and dairy foods

• foods that contain fat and sugar

Carbohydrates should make up about one-third of the daily diet as should fruit and vegetables. The rest of the diet may be split between protein and milk and dairy. Only a small amount of what is eaten every day should come from foods that are high in fat and sugar. 

Eating well is an important part of maintaining good health. Here's some practical tips how to cover the basics of healthy eating to help you make healthier choices:

TUCK INTO THE VEGGIES

Fruit and vegetables must be eaten, at least five portions of different types daily.

STARCHED 

Include some starchy foods in your meals as these provide energy.

HELLO LITTLE FISHY 

Include two portions of oily fish every week such as mackerel or sardines.

FAT ALERT

Avoid the sugars and fats, these are often found in snacks and processed foods.

SALT OVERLOAD

Salt should avoided as an condiment as it is naturally in most foods.

GET UP AND GET MOVING

Undertake active pursuits to achieve a healthy weight.

KEEP IT WATERED

Drink plenty of water, about six to eight glasses every day.

BREKKI IS A MUST 

breakfast should always be eaten as this provides the start-up energy for the day.

Remember what you put inside reflects on the outside,  food is our forgotten medicine.

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Health Washing' terms used on food labels

'Health washing' used on food labels 

 Food label terms that are used  too loosely...

The claims made on food labels these days are nothing but confusing.  From Organic, to natural and healthy to low fat, they all claim to help us in someway live a fuller and healthier, happier life.  But how much of this labelling system is backed with integrity and honesty? A public service educational tool has been created by EnviroMedia Marketing that allows readers to submit food labels and then rate them on whether they are believable or whether they are, what I like to call, 'health washing'.

Here's some of the labelling terms that I'd like to banish to the 'advertising bullshit room' and some advice how to not be sucked in to these terms...

Natural: The word that has no nutritional or legal definition yet appears on millions of packages, including sugar-laden sodas. Ignore it.

Made With: Food products can advertise they are “made with” liquid from the fountain of youth, even if fountain of youth juice makes up less than one percent of the final product. Ignore “made with” unless you are willing to read the entire ingredients label to make sure it’s not also “made with” tons of sugar and unpronounceable chemicals.

Whole Grains: Unless “whole grains” is preceded by 100 percent, watch out. Tiny traces of grains may have prompted the claim, and it’s especially tricky when paired with the other banished phrase, “made with.”

Light: Consumers must decide if 24 grams of sugar in a yogurt container is really “light.” Don’t let advertisers hypnotise you with this word. Read the nutrition information, read the nutrition information, read the nutrition information.

Watch for these terms when you are shopping and don't be sucked into the marketing techniques of big brands, the healthiest food for you and your family is good healthy fruit and veg.

Check out the index of terms here

Leanwashing Index

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