Summer
means hot sun, sweat and discomfort. On a brighter note, summer means ice
creams, cool drinks, mangoes and all that too J
In
the quest to quench the thirst and beat the heat, we go to any extent. We drink
lots of juices and never count the calories. We will be concentrating so much
on het that we forget to notice that we are gaining weight. Although we know
that sugar is not so good for health, we don’t stop ourselves from sipping cool
drinks or eating ice creams.
Finally,
with the monsoon, reality also hits us like the rain. We realize that we do not
fit into most of our old clothes anymore. We try to hit the gym, do yoga, start
walking and what not – but we also realize that monsoon is a great climate. We
end up snuggling within the comforts of warm blanket.
So,
for all you (like me), the best way to get away with those extra calories and
love handles is by sticking to a balanced diet - A diet that contains the
proper proportions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and
water. This helps in maintaining good health.
After
all, a Spanish proverb profoundly says, “A man too busy to take care of his
health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.”
BENEFITS
OF A BALANCED DIET
\ Helps in achieving happy and
healthy lifestyle.
\ Boosts immunity
\ Protects from diseases like
obesity, diabetes, certain types of cancer, etc.
\ Helps to achieve/maintain
adequate body weight.
Our busy lifestyle and general
attitude of nothing-will happen-to-me has made us neglect our health. We eat
whatever is readily available and don’t really care if it is a balanced diet.
Our aim has become – “Kill the hunger” from “eat healthy”!
THREATS
OF NOT TAKING BALANCED DIET
Æ
Slow-down
in metabolism
Æ
Weight
gain
Æ
Bone
weakness
Æ
Nutrients
deficiency
Æ
Weak
immune system
Æ
Cardiac
stress
Æ
Heart
palpitations
BALANCED
DIET IS ALL ABOUT
ü
Eating
the right amount of food
ü
At
the right time
ü
And,
including a wide range of foods
RANGE
OF FOODS YOUR SHOULD INCLUDE
Þ
Fruits
Þ
Vegetables
Þ
Bread,
rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods
Þ
Milk
and dairy foods
Þ
some
meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein, if possible
Þ
just
a small amount of foods high in fat and sugar
1.
Warm water mixed with honey and
lemon juice every morning:
Cleanses
liver. Helps weight loss. Provides Vitamins (B & C) and minerals
(magnesium, calcium & phosphorous).
2.
Eating healthy breakfast within 2
hours of waking:
Long
term health benefits like reduced obesity and controls deceases (blood
pressure, heart disease and diabetes).
3.
A healthy & balanced diet
(approx. 2500 calories daily):
Including
fresh fruits (nutrients), green vegetables (vitamins & minerals), whole
grains, nuts and beans (proteins) and dairy products (Calcium & Vitamin D)
and limiting unsaturated fats and sugar content is the key.
4.
Eat small portion, frequently,
than 3 square meals:
Eat
every three hours, and stop eating three hours before bedtime. This increases
metabolic rate and energy levels, and helps in weight control.
5.
Daily intake of 2 to 3 liters of
fluids (except soft drinks and alcohol):
60%
of body weight being water, benefits of regular fluid intakes are enormous.
6.
Regular exercise and physical
activity (at least 30 minutes a day):
Great
way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun.
7.
Sleep for 7 to 9 hours every
night for being healthy:
Improves
memory, creativity and immunity. Sharpens attention, lowers stress and depression.
So,
take care of your body. Because that’s the only place you can live!
So
my dear readers, eat healthy. Stay healthy J
PS: Written as a part of Honey Diet - A Sweet Alternative!
