Maintain a balanced diet
A balanced diet is essential for a healthy life. It is important to eat a variety of foods from all of the food groups in order to get the right balance of nutrients. Eating a balanced diet helps to maintain a healthy weight, and can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Eating a balanced diet can also help to provide the energy and nutrients needed for physical activity, growth, and overall well-being.
Types of food that help to achieve a balanced diet include:
- Fruits and Vegetables: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Whole Grains: Whole grains are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and provide beneficial fibers, vitamins, and minerals.
- Lean Protein: Lean proteins are important for maintaining muscle mass, and include fish, poultry, beans, and legumes.
- Low-Fat Dairy Products: Dairy products are a good source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients.
- Healthy Fats: Healthy fats are important for good health, and can be found in foods such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil.
Not sure how to maintain a balanced diet with African cuisines? Look no further, below are suggestions on African meals that may be considered.
- Incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet. Try to include a variety of different fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, such as collard greens, spinach, kale, and okra.
- Eat lean proteins, such as skinless poultry, fish, lean beef and beans.
- Choose whole grains and fortified grains, such as millet, sorghum, and maize meal. 4. Include healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts.
- Eat fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, wara, and kunu.
- Enjoy traditional African cuisines, such as jollof rice, egusi soup, injera, and fufu.
- Drink plenty of water and limit your intake of sugary drinks.