Are We What We Eat?
| Published: 17th July 2008 11:46 |
Whenever we talk about diet, there are numerous things that come to mind. There are mainly two meanings of the word diet and they both relate to food. The first one can be defined as food that we take into our body. For example, eating a well-balanced diet. The second one can be defined as losing weight.
A balanced diet contains proper portions of five basic food groups. To ensure optimum health and a balanced diet it is essential to have a proper portion of each group each day. The amount of food needed gets smaller as we move up the "pyramid". Bread, rice, cereal and pasta are in the bottom group and 6 - 11 servings from this group are needed every day.
Next on the pyramid is the vegetable group. Nearly everyone requires 3 - 5 servings from this group daily. The vegetable group gives you vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A and C. After that is the fruit group. We need about 2 to 4 servings of this group per day. Fruits give you vitamin C, fibre, carbohydrates and more.
Next is the milk, yogurt and cheese group. People need 2 to 3 servings of this group per day. This group gives you calcium and protein. Drinking milk and eating cheese and/or yoghurt is a great way to get your daily allowance.
Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts is the last group. We do not need much of this group everyday but this group is very important. 2 to 3 servings per day are required.
In addition to the food pyramid, it was discovered by doctors and scientists that fats, sweets and oils are an important ingredient of a healthy diet. This is mentioned although it is separate from the pyramid. The food we eat normally contains the required fats so we need not add additional fatty or sweet food. This food can be delicious but we always try to avoid an excess of this type of fatty or sweet food.
If you are referring to a weight-loss diet, you are talking about changing or restricting your diet somehow to reduce calories, fat or other to lose weight. No diet shoudl be used without talking to your doctor first. There are many diets on the market and medications to help people diet. The problem with dieting when not under a doctor's care is that you may be losing nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. You may be trying to lose weight because you are overweight or obese, but you could be doing more harm by restricting vitamins and minerals that your body needs.
Remember - if you are in doubt what your body needs - consult your doctor.
Marcella Ventura is the webmaster of http://www.finadiet.com
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