Healthy Eating is a way of choosing foods and drinks that provide your body with the nutrients it needs. This is important because poor nutrition can lead to illness. Healthy eating also helps you maintain a healthy weight and feel your best.

Eating a balanced diet means getting a variety of foods from each of the 5 major food groups every day. It also means avoiding certain foods and beverages, such as those high in fat, salt and sugar.

A balanced diet is one that includes whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats and poultry, fish, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy, eggs and fortified soy beverages. It also includes some processed foods such as breads and pasta, but in moderation.

Taking steps toward healthy eating can be difficult, especially with all the different information out there about what is “healthy.” It is often hard to know what advice to trust. However, with a little guidance, it is possible to make healthier choices and enjoy the benefits of a well-balanced diet.

It is essential to eat at least the recommended number of servings per day from each food group for good health. This is because a variety of foods provides the most nutrients. Foods that are rich in nutrients (nutrient dense) tend to be less processed and lower in saturated fat, sugar and sodium.

There are many things you can do to eat healthier, such as cooking at home more, reading food labels and choosing unprocessed foods. Eating a balanced diet will help you to be more physically active and have better mental health, as well as lowering your risk of chronic (long-term) diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

If you are worried about your current diet or need more information, it is always best to consult a physician or registered dietitian for specific recommendations. For example, people with a history of kidney or liver disease, heart disease or diabetes may need to adjust their meal plans.

A healthy diet can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age or dietary restrictions. It doesn’t have to be complicated and can easily fit in with your cultural traditions, family routines and budget. Food should be something to be cherished and enjoyed, not feared or counted. In fact, a healthy diet can even include treats. But, it’s important to choose treats that are lower in kilojoules and nutrient density. For example, a handful of nuts is healthier than a doughnut. Keeping these tips in mind, you can start to make healthier choices at the grocery store, restaurants and at any eating occasion. After all, food is meant to be eaten, not feared, counted and tracked!Emnahrungskompass