Time to read: 4 min
What is the basis of healthy nutrition?
We're receiving more and more questions about different diets and what we think of certain products. It can also be difficult to see the forest for the trees sometimes! In this article, we therefore provide some good guidelines that give you the basics for putting together a healthy diet :)
What is healthy nutrition?
In order to function optimally, our body needs energy and nutrients. These nutrients are extracted from the food we eat in our intestines. Healthy nutrition contains vitamins and minerals, proteins, unsaturated fats, carbohydrates, and fibers. Each of these is important for an energetic, strong, and healthy body.
When nutrition contains few healthy nutrients (but, for example, does contain a lot of added sugars, saturated fats, and salt), we speak of unhealthy nutrition. These products have a low nutritional value but contain many calories.
What is (un)wholesome nutrition?
Healthy nutrition does not have a long list of ingredients but often consists of one or only a few ingredients and many nutrients. Products to which no substances have been added (or removed) and that contain many healthy nutrients are also called wholesome nutrition.
Many processed (factory) products often cause us to eat too much and get too few nutrients. This is also called unwholesome nutrition. These products mainly contain empty calories, many concentrated sugars and sweeteners, harmful (trans) fats, E-numbers, and little to no vitamins, minerals, fibers, good fats, and proteins. They do not contribute to your health.
Basis of Healthy Nutrition
In the past century, a lot of research has been done on nutrition and health. Scientists and researchers sometimes differ in opinion on certain foods and products. However, there are rules/guidelines that everyone agrees on.
- Eat as many real, natural, unprocessed products as possible
- Eat lots of (green) vegetables, tubers, bulbs
- Eat fruit daily
- Eat nuts, seeds, and other healthy fats
- Eat enough (plant-based) proteins
- Ensure adequate fiber, vitamins, and minerals daily
- Get enough sunlight (vitamin D)
- Drink enough water
These products are good for your health, immunity, and energy levels. Therefore, this should be the basis for a healthy lifestyle for everyone. You can occasionally eat something "unhealthy," but then focus again on the healthy basics.
Also read: 11 tips for eating healthier
Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
Healthy nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. But there is more to consider! Namely:
- Healthy eating
- Enough exercise
- Enough relaxation and good sleep
- Not too much stress
- Good mental health
- Be cautious with alcohol, smoking, and drugs.
- Fitblogs
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