World Food Day: Tips for a healthy diet to stay disease free

October 16 of each year marks the international celebration of the World Food Day. This day is in celebration of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, that was conceived in 1945. The organisation not only strives to feed the worlds ever-growing population but it also tries to spread awareness about the importance of a healthy diet. So, in celebration of World Food Day, here are a few tips on how to maintain a healthy diet.

What is a healthy diet?

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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a healthy diet is one that not only fills you and gives you the required nutrients but is also one that will protect your body from congenital diseases such as heart disease or diabetes. A healthy diet has several different components. First, you will need a rich staple food in carbohydrates or starch such as rice, maize or vegetables like potatoes. Then you will need legumes, fruits and vegetables and finally a rich source of protein from an animal source such as meat or milk. 

A few tips for a healthy diet

Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. They are a rich source of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Risk of heart diseases, obesity, cancer etcetera are also lowered. Lower your intake of fats. Fats are a rich source of energy, however, eating too many fats in a sedentary lifestyle greatly increases your risk for heart disease. Saturated fats from animal sources are especially harmful. Try to consume more vegetable oil instead.

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Reduce your salt as well as sugar intake. People are too used to consuming these seasoning agents in their food. But salt and sugar are both harmful if consumed regularly and in excess. Eating too much sugar is bad for your teeth as well as leads to obesity and diabetes. Excess of salt in your blood leads to high blood pressure, which in turn leads to deadly heart diseases.

Here were the tips that were mentioned by the World Health Organisation. Following these guidelines will help you stay healthy and free of any disease. Consuming healthy food is perhaps the best thing you can do for your body. So try and eat good food from this World Food Day and onwards.

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