Healthy eating: Five ways to eat well!

Eating well is important for a healthy lifestyle. A nutritious diet, when combined with physical activity, can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, etc.

It may not be possible for you to change your eating habits immediately once at a time. But you can try incorporating some small steps daily to improve your nutrition and move toward a healthier you.

Here are a few tips to help you eat a balanced diet:

Eat a combination of different foods, including staple foods such as cereals, wheat, barley, maize, rice, legumes (lentils, beans). Also, include vegetables, fruits and foods from animal sources - meat, fish,eggs and milk.

Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits that contain different combination of vitamins and minerals. Include raw vegetables and fresh fruits in the menu. Avoid overcooking vegetables and fruits as this can lead to the loss of essential nutrients.

Eat moderate amounts of fats, oils and avoid processed foods that contain industrially produced trans-fat. Opt for unsaturated vegetable oils such as olive, soy, sunflower or corn oil instead of animal fats or oils that are high in saturated fats. Also, choose white meat (poultry, fish) over red meat which are high in fats.

Limit the amount of salt and sugars while cooking or preparing foods. Avoid foods that are high in salt and sugars which are harmful to health. Also, limit intake of soft drinks or sodas that are high in sugars. Drink water instead of sugary drinks which will also cut calories.

Include some seafood such as salmon, tuna, trout, crab and oysters. They contain protein, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids considered to be good for your heart's health.

By: Salome Phelamei