by Gabby Bugwadia

Created on: August 06, 2011   Last Updated: October 11, 2011

 Diet plays a significant role in health and fitness. Combined with exercise and sleep, it is primarily the diet that you choose to follow, that can serve as a powerful tool in maintaining health and fitness. Haven't you heard of the phrase, " you are what you eat?"

The human body is designed to be naturally healthy and fit. The key lies, in being aware of your body’s intrinsic needs and adhering to the principles of proper eating. It is your informed choice of the type of foods you include in your daily diet,  that can promote good health and fitness. Cultivating healthy eating habits and following a ‘balanced’ diet plan can make it possible for you to reap the rich benefits of health and fitness.

- What is a ‘balanced’ diet?

A balanced diet is one that has all the essential nutrients. An improper diet devoid of these essentials could have negative repercussions on your health and fitness. A balanced diet broadly consists of eating a large variety of foods from all the food groups and in conjunction with the recommended portion size.

The key is to choose foods which have high nutrient value but low calorie and fat content. Other vital components of a balanced diet are a sizeable amount of vitamins and minerals as those found in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts, low fat dairy products, lean meat and fish.

-Why is an improper diet detrimental to health and fitness?

An improper diet can be most detrimental to your health and fitness since it could increase your chances of developing diseases due to lack of adequate nourishment to the body. For example, although over 40 billion dollars are spent annually on preventive measures in the heath-care industry in U.S., obesity is increasingly on the rise.

Health professionals believe that this single factor- - - having excess of fat in the body caused by an imbalanced diet, could be responsible for several health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides levels, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, digestive disorders which can be highly detrimental to your health and fitness.  

-What foods in your diet can be most beneficial?

 Research studies clearly indicate that plant-based foods, which are mainly fresh fruits and vegetables, can be most beneficial to your health and fitness. People, who adopt such a diet, are known to enjoy better health and live longer than those whose diet mainly consists of animal-based foods like meat.

This is so because fresh fruits and vegetables have a naturally high content of water, which helps to facilitate the smooth functioning of your bodily systems. The nutrients contained in fresh fruits and vegetables can be easily absorbed and used by the body to keep it in top working condition. Besides, the water content in these foods serves to eliminate the toxic wastes from the body. Health and fitness can be ensured by anyone who religiously practices this basic principle of eating.

- Conclusion

Believe that good health and wellness can be yours; make sure to revert back from the poor diet you are currently following and mindfully eat a balanced diet. Lay greater emphasis on plant based foods. Following this basic principle of eating can help you to keep your weight in control, supply all the necessary nutrients to your body, ward off diseases and improve your overall health and fitness.

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