Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet can be difficult, particularly with the increase in fast food outlets and delivery services.
To help you know how to approach healthy eating, here are some tips from the home doctor team at House Call Doctor.
1. Drink alcohol in moderation
As alcohol is high in kilojoules, it’s important to consume alcoholic drinks in moderation. According to the Better Health Channel, the recommended daily consumption for men is less than two standard drinks per day, and for women, it’s less than one standard drink per day.
A standard drink is typically 375ml of mid-strength beer, 100ml of wine or 30ml of spirits.
2. Don’t skip breakfast
Although it can become a habit to skip breakfast in the morning, particularly for those who head to work early, it’s important for adults and children to eat before starting their day.
Those who do skip breakfast in the morning are more likely to be unproductive at work or school.
3. Eat foods rich in vitamins and nutrients
It’s important to eat a balanced diet, packed with foods containing vitamins and nutrients.
Nutrients, such as calcium, are important for bone health (particularly for infants, women and young girls), and iron is important for carrying oxygen around the body and reducing the risk of anemia.
4. Keep fat and high-kilojoule foods to a minimum
Try to minimize your intake of foods which are high in fat and high in kilojoules. This is because energy-dense foods containing saturated fats can be converted into cholesterol, causing blood cholesterol levels to rise.
To replace these foods, increase your consumption of plant foods including wholegrain bread, cereals, fruits, and vegetables.
It’s also important to include a variety of meats and protein in your diet, such as eggs and fish.