Consuming a diet that incorporates a wide variety of food groups can have multiple benefits for your well-being. It can help you prevent many diseases, including chronic mental and physical conditions. Plus, the more types of food you have on your plate, the more appealing your meals will be. Here are 6 things you should be eating to have a balanced diet and better overall health.
Lean Protein
Proteins represent the building blocks of your body, which means consuming them is essential for keeping you healthy. Including a source of lean protein, such as poultry or legumes, in your meals can also help avoid spikes in your blood sugar levels caused by carbs. This will allow you to feel full for longer, eat less, and maintain your energy levels for your daily activities.
Vegetables
Veggies can be a great source of natural fiber that contributes to easier digestion and reduces bloating. They also contain several anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants that can reduce the risk of developing infections and cancer. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage are particularly rich in these elements.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats contained in olive oil, nuts, and fish can help counteract the effects of unhealthy fats in your diet, lowering your cholesterol levels and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. If you have nut allergies, a suitable substitution for them would be consuming hemp products. The recommended daily dose of hemp gummies contains the same amount of healthy fats as 5 servings of tree nuts per week. They are also one of the most cost-effective ways for taking in micronutrients like zinc, magnesium, and calcium.
Low-Calorie Fruit
Fruits contain an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that helps build strong immunity and fight off infections. Berries are particularly recommended to eat every day as they have lower quantities of sugar than other fruits. They provide all the benefits without the added calories and the risk of spiking your blood glucose levels.
Whole Grains
Whole grains contained in whole grain bread, oats, quinoa, and brown rice provide plenty of dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins to your body. These nutrients can protect you against diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. They can also prevent weight gain as they help feel sated for long periods throughout the day.
Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products are excellent sources of minerals, vitamins, and protein. Regular dairy consumption contributes to bone health through high levels of calcium intake. Choosing low-fat variants can also protect against coronary diseases by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you are lactose intolerant, you can replace dairy products with soy and nut substitutes with similar nutritional values.
Incorporating lean protein, healthy fats, and vitamin-rich veggies and fruit into your diet will help you stay healthy and fit. Despite popular belief, there is a broad assortment of food groups that contain all these elements. You can have all the nutrients your body needs without falling into a repetitive and dull routine with your meals. In addition, if you have food allergies to multiple food groups, you can always find natural supplements to create a balanced diet.