You will not be surprised to hear that the answer to the question of the “Benefits of preparing healthy food” is often stated as – losing weight. In this article, we look at some real acknowledged benefits and also how to prepare healthier foods, however it does not purport to be a scientific study and it is still best to seek advice from your general practitioner or a registered dietitian.
Five main food groups:
How to classify “healthy food” will be different for just about every person. We often hear statements such as “you must eat 5 portions of fruits & vegetables every day” or others will tell you that eating all your food raw. There is no doubt though that eating a balanced diet should comprise the five main food groups: Grains, Fruit and Vegetables, Proteins, Dairy Products and Sugar & Fat. There are various proportional suggestions to be found on the Internet; mostly these are illustrated in a pyramid or pie chart format. Five benefits of eating healthy foods:
1. Very few of us don’t at some stage feel that our lives are just so busy that our energy levels are too low to cope with all the demands. Eating healthier will provide your body with all the vitamins, minerals it requires to produce the energy needed. In addition, of course that means that you will in fact have more time even though you may spend more time preparing your food.
2. Protecting your body against illnesses and falling prey to every germ is the task of your body’s immune system. A healthier eating regime will boost your immune system and help to protect against diseases such as heart diseases, cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes.
3. Mental alertness is essential for living optimally and eating healthier will help your brain to remain alert and sharp even if you are roaring towards “old age”.
4. Maintaining a healthy weight depends not only on being physically fit, but also requires a healthy varied meal plan. Being fit helps you to cope with the mental and physical strains and stresses of everyday life.
5. Because your body will be in top condition and able to draw on sustained nutrition for its basic needs it will recover much quicker from an illness or you having had surgery.
The five essential tips for preparing healthy foods:
You may be put off by the thought of having to make an about turn immediately and it may be wise to phase in the changes gradually, but in a structured fashion.
1. Take the time to plan meals – be it on a weekly or monthly basis. This will reduce the time you spend on preparing meals.
2. Start by reducing (not eliminating) the amount of fat, salt and sugar you use when cooking. Replace some salt by using herbs to enhance your food and use non-stick saucepans and to change your cooking methods from frying to steaming or grilling.
3. If you are a salad junkie, you can bulk it up and improve the protein content by using grilled chicken or fish or even a combination of pulses such as beans and lentils. Also, be aware of the contents of the dressings you use – store bought options are often high in sugar and fat. Making your own simple vinaigrette is a healthier option.
4. Start introducing fruits and vegetables into your meals. Use fruit in smoothies at breakfast, not only are you able to use milk or yogurt and seasonal fruit into your meal plan it gives you a boost at the start of the day and is a portable meal that you can eat in the car or on the train or bus. A quick and easy meal to prepare is a stir-fry packed with a variety of vegetable. It is also an ingenious method of adding vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli, which many people (especially children) are not keen to eat.
5. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your food options. You can use your favorite recipes and try out different ingredients. As an example when you are making a cheese sauce use low fat or fat free milk. Reduce the cheese content by adding some mustard, which will give you a flavor boost.
Making slight changes in your preparation methods and ingredients can ensure that you reap the benefits of preparing healthy food without having to compromise on the quality and flavor of your food.
