It seems like the guidelines on what’s healthy and what isn’t change every week. One week, we’re all avoiding eggs, the next, we can eat as many eggs as we like. One thing that is true is that a balanced diet is as important in maintaining good health as taking enough exercise and drinking enough water. This doesn’t only mean eating the right foods in the right quantities, it means eating what’s right for you.
Healthy Diet – A Balancing Act
The most basic piece of general health advice with regards to food is to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, and there’s good evidence to suggest that people who eat their five a day have a lower incidence of stroke, heart disease, and even some cancers. It’s also easier to eat enough than you think – adding a sliced banana or a handful of blueberries to your porridge will take care of one portion, and three heaped tablespoons of vegetables constitutes another. Add a side salad to your lunch or dinner, and you’re well on the way, especially if you substitute fruit or vegetable sticks for sugary snacks.
A diet high in saturated fat can do you more harm than just pile on the pounds; saturated fat can clog arteries, putting you at risk of a heart attack, and also raising your blood pressure to potentially dangerous levels. Fatty, salty foods are particularly bad and should be an occasional treat rather than a daily part of your diet. Avoid sugar too, which is not just bad for piling on the pounds, but is a contributory factor to the time bomb that is Type II diabetes, not to mention rotting your teeth.
Food Intolerance and Food Allergy
Not all health complaints are caused by foods that are traditionally ‘bad’ for you, however. If you have a food intolerance, or a more severe allergy, even the most innocuous and healthy plate of food could be full of problems from first bite to last. Obvious problems, such as food allergies manifesting as rashes or difficulty breathing, usually come to light in early childhood. However, these allergies can also come on at any time, so if you’re noticing that foods such as shellfish or nuts are making your mouth itchy or sore, you might wish to avoid them.
Wheat intolerances are quite common, causing bloating and IBS, although if problems are persistent your GP might suggest you are tested for an auto-immune condition called coeliac disease, meaning you would need to avoid gluten altogether, and permanently. There is also some evidence to suggest that going gluten-free can help with the symptoms of other auto-immune conditions but since following a restricted diet can leave you short on important nutrients it’s wise to discuss this with a specialist.
If you feel you need a clearer picture on possible food allergies, or even want to discuss nutrition with a view to losing weight, make an appointment to see a private consultant at Sevenoaks Medical Centre, who will talk you through the best eating plan for you.
