A balanced diet is important in keeping your body healthy and ensuring that it receives proper nutrition to avoid deficiencies and various ailments. Include these elements in your daily intake and live a long healthy life.
Protein
Protein should be 25-30% of one’s diet which comes fundamentally from meat and dairy. They help in keeping skin, hair, and heart-healthy while also helping in building muscles and lean body in both women and men. Other sources of protein are eggs, beans, soy, and oats.
Carbohydrates
They are a great source of energy and can keep you fuller for a long period of time throughout the day. Carbohydrates should be 55-60% of your daily intake. Healthy sources of carbohydrates are brown rice, sweet potatoes, whole wheat pasta, and chickpeas.
Fiber
Fiber helps to keep you full for hours at end and also aids in regulating your digestive system. It also helps to keep your cholesterol levels under control. Sources of fiber include cereal, grains sprouts, vegetables, peas, and broccoli.
Fats
Many individuals stay away from including fats in their diet, which is completely wrong. In our body, fat plays an important role in the absorption of vitamins and should be 10-15% of our daily intake. Opt for foods that are high in unsaturated fats rather than saturated fats like fish, avocados, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
Water
Water is important for proper functioning of your body and digestion. It also provides you with proper hydration and avoids water retention. Just make sure you drink 7-8 glasses of water every day. A good habit to adopt is drinking 2-3 glasses of water in the morning itself.
Vitamins and minerals
Adding multivitamins and various minerals into your diet aids in development and growth of various organs like calcium helps in the development of bones and teeth. Include a lot of fruits and green leafy vegetables into your diet for absorption of vitamins like Vitamin A, B, K, D and minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium.