Human life revolves around food. It has played a significant role in defining our lifestyles, cultures, and even personalities! But the fact is that the quality of the diet that we include in our lives determines the quality of our health. An active life demands a good, well-balanced diet.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A BALANCED DIET?
This is a question that arises in our mind as soon as we hear the words balanced diet. A balanced diet simply means that you need to eat five servings of food each day. These five servings are designed in such a way that they mostly include a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, white meats, and low-fat dairy products.
BALANCED DIET FOR WOMEN:
Women’s schedule is often hectic as they try to handle both work and family life at the same time. This can often be exhausting and stressful. In addition, mandatory social obligations and family purchases cannot be dispensed with. With such a rigorous routine, women are often unable to spare time for physical activities. To be honest, after a busy day at work and managing the family routine, even the word exercise seems to send shivers through the body! Nutritionists recommend that a woman’s diet provide her with 2000 kcal of energy per day. A smart way to get these calories is to divide them among the five servings of food she eats daily as part of her balanced diet program.
DIVIDING THE DIET:
Foods that contain carbohydrates, such as pasta, potatoes, rice, and cereals, should be eaten in small portions. Your diet should consist mainly of protein such as fish, poultry or meat and various fruits and vegetables. Avoid oil, butter, and sugary foods as much as you can.
BREAKFAST:
The old saying “Eat breakfast like a king” is true. There is no better way to start the day than having a good, rich and healthy breakfast. As we move into this age of technology, we often neglect this most important meal of the day. However, eating a healthy breakfast plays an important role in keeping you alert and active throughout the day. If you are one of those women who watch her weight then opt for a protein-based breakfast. Proteins take longer to digest compared to carbohydrates, so you’ll likely eat less, feel full sooner, and have consumed fewer calories. A protein-based breakfast can range from scrambled eggs to lean ham and smoked salmon. The choice is yours; just make sure you don’t skip breakfast.
MID-MORNING COCK:
Mid-morning snacks call for some light snacks that can include some cookies or oatmeal cakes, vegetable sticks, or just some low-fat yogurt.
FOOD:
Lunchtime should be a combination of low carbohydrate and protein diet. It is not advisable to exclude carbohydrates from your diet as carbohydrates are the instant source of energy and without them your blood sugar levels will plummet. Eat a high-fiber, whole-grain sandwich combo with some protein, such as chicken, salmon, or tuna. Don’t forget to include plenty of salad.
MID AFTERNOON CRAVINGS:
It is the time during which people tend to eat junk food. The best thing is to satisfy the mid-afternoon cravings with some fruits. You can also include a handful of walnuts or almonds.
DINNER:
Dinnertime calls for a healthy combination of high-fiber, low-fat carbohydrates with protein and vegetables. Fill your plate with colorful vegetables and a tasty salad dressing. You can also include past, brown rice or quinoa along with fish, meat or chicken.