YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

If you are what you eat then I’m a bowl of rice! As it’s the staple dish for most of the Asian population. For some eating is purely about satisfying a craving, for some eating is about satisfying hunger, for some food can even be escapism.

Eating is only to satisfy some of the few examples I’ve listed above, eating is a function that provides you with the essential nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to exist. There are many different approaches, ideas and methodologies that people apply to their diet, but what is generally accepted is that to maintain a health existence you need a balanced diet.

There are five major food groups for consideration that form a healthy diet: meat, beans, fruits, milk, vegetables and grains. I will discuss them in a little more detail below:

- Grains are found in produce such as rice, wheat, bread. They provide a rich source of low fat high energy benefits required for a busy lifestyle.

- Vegetables and Fruits are key part of varied diet. They contain fiber which is good for supporting a regular bodily function called digestion. For example if you only eat meats or grains you will easy to get symptoms such as unhealthy colons or stomach. Fiber is a great partner to fighting away those unwanted illness.

- Meat provides you with a good level of protein and usually high energy from its fat content. Unfortunately, red meat for example contains ‘bad fats’ called saturated fat. This can cause high cholesterol which can be problematic potentially contributing to heart disease and high blood pressure levels. A more healthy overall alternative to red meat would be choosing a white meat like fish or chicken with good levels of protein without the high fat content.

- Dairy products such as milk or cheese provide your body a number of important vitamins such as vitamin B and calcium. These types of vitamin and minerals are especially needed by children throughout their development into an adult to ensure the required growth needs are met.

Of the many important facts and thoughts about food and its health benefits, what do I think is the most likely to support and provide health and happy living? Here are my suggestions:

- First of all, eat three meals daily. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, it’s needed to kick start your body and metabolism into action! Without this important meal you are likely to feel low on energy and generally not be at your best for whatever your chosen activity. This also impacts your ability to focus and concentrate. Adapting your body and routine to three main meals will keep your bodily functions strong and ready to cope with whatever life throws at you!

- Second of all, the three main meals need to provide the balance diet that I previously mentioned. My opinion is that a balance moderate diet will provide you with good overall health benefits. We all know that junk food like KFC, Mc Donalds and Pizza Hut do not provide the most nutritional benefits. However, the social aspect of these fast found restaurants is a popular way of meeting and relaxing with friends. This has become a popular habit for millions of people in this world. In moderation eating a small amount of this food, whilst maintaining an overall health diet is, in my opinion, offset by the social benefits.

- Third of all snacking on nuts, gains, pulses, dried fruit and fruit can be a great way of keeping your hunger at baby by keeping your metabolism moving and generally sugar and energy levels high. This ensures maximum level of energy, focus and concentration to get you through you day!

- The forth recommendation is probably quite obvious, especially when you understand the need for a balanced diet, but I really want to highlight the need to avoid too much sugar or too much sodium. Sugar is simple carbohydrate, cutting out junk food and other unhealthy snacks ensure that sugar is minimized. Sodium occurs naturally in foods, but is also generally added in too great quantities during preparing or cooking food for taste. Studies have shown that high salt and sugar contents can cause unwanted illness like, high blood pressure or diabetes.

- Last but by no means least we can’t forget water! Water makes up about 70% of your overall body mass. It’s generally recommended to ensure you drink at least two litres of water every day. This will help to detox, hydrate and refreshing your body. Starting your day with a large glass of refreshing water, not only helps cool down your body, but also ensures your body receives the much needed hydration for hot and humid climates

like Singapore. Different types of mineral water can also provide your body with varying types minerals dependent on the brand or source of the mineral water.

- Finally, besides watching what you eat, try to do 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activities such as: running, jogging, biking, dancing or aerobics each day. Doing this type of exercise that raises your heart rates will help burn calories (including any excessive ones) and have the added benefit of potentially conditioning your body to fight coughs, cold and stress! Generally the health benefits of regular exercise are massively positive to your existence!

In conclusion, it’s important for us all to consider what we eat. You must make sure when possible you provide your body with all of the nutrients and others substances needed for good health. According to National Institutes of Health, “Go-Slow-Whoa” is the best way for building a wealth health life style:

- “Go foods” mean you can eat often most of time. They are lowest in fats like : whole fruits, nuts, vegetables, fishes.

- “Slow foods” mean you can eat some times because they added sugar and high calories like soda drinks, fast foods, or already ready to eat foods.

- “Whoa foods” mean you should eat once in a while because they are high in fats and include lots of sugars like: snacks, French-fries, bacon sandwiches or hot dogs.

Balance your diet, eat in moderation, and exercise daily for a long and health existence on this planet!