What are the components of healthy eating?

 What are the components of healthy eating?

• Another component of healthy eating is dietary diversity, meaning eating a variety of foods. Following a diet that’s rich in different kinds of food supports your gut bacteria, promotes a healthy body weight, and protects against chronic disease ( 14, 15, 16, 17 ). Still, eating a variety of foods may be difficult if you’re a picky eater.
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• We’re often told that we need to follow a healthy, balanced diet, but just why is healthy eating important?

  In this blog post, we’re going to be looking at the importance of healthy eating and nutrition, including the many benefits that a balanced diet has and the effects of poor nutrition. We’ll also be providing healthy eating tips and advice for creating an ‘eating healthy’ plan to start you on your journey.

  Find out more about the importance of healthy eating below.

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• What is healthy eating?

  When we talk about healthy eating, we mean eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions.

  Following a healthy, balanced diet helps your body to get the nutrition and energy it needs to stay healthy, active and well. This type of diet will help you to maintain good health, a healthy weight, and help you to feel your best.

  A healthy diet needs to incorporate a range of different foods and should typically consist of:

  • Fruit and vegetables (at least five portions per day)
  • High-fibre starchy foods such as potatoes, rice, pasta or bread (wholegrain or wholemeal versions are best)
  • Dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya)
  • Protein such as beans, pulses, eggs, meat and fish
  • Small amounts of unsaturated fats (healthy fats) such as oils and spreads
  • Plenty of water (or other fluids)
  • Having healthy eating habits, such as eating only enough to feel full

  Eating a good variety of these foods every day will help you to get a wide range of nutrients from your diet.

  The benefits of a healthy diet

  What we eat and drink can have a huge impact on our bodies and our health, which is why a healthy diet is so important.

  There are many benefits of eating healthily. Healthy eating can:

  • Lower your risk of chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers
  • Support immune function
  • Help the digestive system function
  • Help to maintain a healthy weight
  • Keep your bones and teeth strong and healthy
  • Repair and strengthen muscles
  • Improve energy levels
  • Support brain function and brain health
  • Boost mood
  • Help with sleeping patterns
  • Support healthy growth and development in children
  • Supports healthy pregnancies
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  The benefits of a healthy diet are huge — providing the energy and nutrients we need to keep active throughout the day while ensuring that we remain healthy far into the future.

  The effects of poor nutrition

  Poor nutrition is when we don’t get enough of the nutrients we need from our diet. This may happen for a number of reasons, such as following a diet that doesn’t contain a wide variety of healthy, nutritional foods. It can also occur when we follow a diet that is high in saturated fats, salt and sugar. Poor nutrition can also be caused by not eating enough or eating too much.