A Healthy Balanced Diet

A balanced diet has a combination of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, water and salts. It is vital that a balnced diet is maintained for a number of reasons, the first being health. Other reasons for a healthy balanced diet include: healthy body growth, controlling weight, healthy sleep patterns and an alert mind.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provides fuel for your body. There are two types of carbohydrate:

Starch/Complex carbohydrates, which include oats, brown rice, some cereals,bread, pasta and potatoes. These carbohydrates provide a slow releasing energy providing energy for a longer period of time.

Sugary Carbohydrates release sugar quickly which is fine if an instant boost is required but not so good if the energy is not burnt off as it is then stored as body fat.

Fat

Fat is not a bad thing. There are two types of fat:

Unsaturated Fats, which are contained in food such as oily fish, avacado, nuts, seeds and good oils. These fats are good for your metabolism, immune system, skin, hair and nails.

Saturated Fats, which are contained in full fat dairy products, red meats, pork and lamb. These are the bad fats and can cause problems with health due to increasing the cholesterol levels within the body.

Protein

Every cell in your body requires protein. Foods high in protein include white meats, white fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, tofu, pulses and beans.

Vitamins and minerals

If a healthy diet is maintained then all the minerals and vitamins required should be present. When training however, supplements may be needed to maintain the correct level of vitamins in the body.

Water

If the body drops its hydration by even 5% then mental levels and energy levels will drop. People often realise that they are dehydrated only when they are thirsty when in fact they have become dehdrated well before this. Keep sipping water throughout the day as it alos flushes out the toxins and free radicals.

Everytime we eat and drink the metabolism is speeded up.

Karen Norris is a personal trainer, nutritionist and a top Body Fitness competitor at National level. In 2007 and 2008 Karen won the North East Championships. Later in each year Karen achieved third place at the British Championship Finals. For more information visit Karen's website.