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Article posted on February 3, 2021
Healthy Eating
Eating a healthy and balanced diet is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and achieve wellness goals. A healthy diet can help you control factors such as cholesterol and sugar levels, blood pressure, and weight. Of course, eating healthy should be coupled with an active lifestyle to achieve the best outcome.
These are some tips to follow:
1- Eat Lots of Vegetables & Fruit
This food group is rich in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and fibre. It should be included in each meal and as a snacking option.
2- Opt for Whole Grains
Whole grains such as whole wheat are a much healthier choice than processed and refined alternatives like white pasta and bread. Whole grains have fibre, protein and B vitamins and help you stay full longer.
3- Eat Balanced Proportions
Make sure your plate has enough protein (quarter), vegetables/fruit (half), and whole grains (quarter). Also, try to eat fish twice a week and opt for plant-based on a more regular basis.
4- Avoid Highly Processed Foods
Processed foods have been altered from their original food forms often by the addition of salts and sugars and/or the removal of vitamins and fibers. Tru to avoid them especially the ones that are highly processed.
5- Drink Water
Water should be your drink of choice as it provides hydration and supports healthy functioning in your body. Avoid sugary drinks and choose fruit as opposed to fruit juices as they are higher in fiber and have less sugar.
To learn more about what a healthy diet should look like, visit the Canadian Food Guide. Check out our Resources page for more trusted health links.
Visit our Healthy Living page to enrol in one of the WestView PCN's free classes on heart health, obesity clinic nutrition, and smoking cessation. Or explore other free classes on the Virtual Education page with various topics like meal planning, happiness basics, and mental health.
For tips on meal preparation, visit healthy eating basics.
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 03, 2021
