HEALTHY breaks down what has become a vague concept into three easily identifiable components: physical activity, dietary habits, and mental health. Healthy means having the right balance of these three components in the right amounts. A person can be considered healthy if they possess the following traits:
HEALTHY identifies three essential components to a healthy diet: vitamins, minerals, and exercise. HEALTHY identifies health as “an enduring state of well-being, achieved through a well-balanced diet and an active lifestyle.” A number of different definitions have also been applied to health, most often in reference to its prevention and treatment. The Canadian Family Physician has defined it as “exceeding the minimum standards of the nation’s medical system,” and the Department of Health defines it as “exceeding the optimum levels of health maintained through life.”
HEALTHY Diet is designed to eat healthy foods while including a variety of fruits, vegetables, fiber, and small to moderate sized portions of meat, fish, and poultry. The primary focus of the food is to provide for a person’s nutritional needs while reducing caloric intake and increasing nutrient intake. This type of diet requires and allows for an individual to restrict certain foods based on their size or their level of activity. The types of foods that can be included are limited to those that are high in protein, low in saturated fat, and contain adequate vitamins and minerals.
HEALTHY Nutritional guidelines are designed around a wide range of possible diets and daily activities. All foods should be examined for both their nutritional value and how they affect a person’s eating and exercise habits. Some foods are promoted as HEALTHY foods because they are high in vitamins and minerals and therefore promote good health. These include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts, all of which are necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some foods are promoted as HEALTHY foods because they are high in saturated fat, which is considered to be a major cause of heart disease.
A delicious example of a fruit or vegetable that is considered a healthy choice is a tomato. A tomato is loaded with important nutrients that are necessary for a healthy diet. It contains vitamin c, potassium, fiber, folate, calcium, magnesium, vitamin k, and antioxidants. A tomato is easy to prepare and does not require a lot of extra cooking time when added to a meal. Because it is loaded with nutrients, it makes a delicious light snack or a delicious soup.
A very common vegetable is broccoli. The colorful green bulb of broccoli is packed with nutrients and can be eaten on its own or mixed in with other veggies for a delicious gourmet treat. One way to enhance the flavor is to add some tomatoes or some cheese to add a little more fiber and Vitamin C to your meal. Be careful not to over bake your broccoli as that will reduce its nutritional value. You should be getting about half the calories you take in with every serving of this tasty vegetable.