Healthy diet

From ArticleWorld

A healthy diet refers to a healthy eating practice where one consumes a variety of food, a balanced amount of nutrients and only a small amount of fat, sugar and salt. Governments use the term to refer to the ideal eating habits of an average person in order to remain healthy.

Healthy eating habits

No individual should ever rely on a single food for the majority of his or her diet; this often leaves one susceptible to a deficiency and will not be adhering to the recommended nutrient intake. In a healthy diet, the nutrient diet should be maintained and sugar, salt, cholesterol and fat consumption should be minimized.

Ideally, proper diet practices will result in protection from common illnesses and conditions that are related to a poor diet (like headaches, decreased sexual drive, heart disease and obesity).

Types of diets

Plant-based food diets are traditionally believed to bring health and longevity as well as to contribute to low cholesterol, weight loss and stress reduction. Some foods have a low nutritional value and should therefore not be consumed on a regular basis. Highly processed foods, typically found at fast food restaurants, are often linked to both heart problems and diabetes. No foods are linked themselves to illness, disease or reduced body function. Some foods, though, can result in death when improperly prepared. The key to a healthy diet is a variety of foods to ensure that all nutrients are being consumed. Often a diet that consists of only health foods would leave out essential fats.

Government interest

For the last half-century, many governments worldwide have involved themselves in the pursuit of healthy eating among their constituencies. This effort is not purely for the health of the people, however. By encouraging a healthy diet and healthful eating habits, the governments are most likely reducing the strain (in both cost and time) upon government-sponsored health services. Recently, many governments are encouraging the marketing of healthful food to children and discouraging advertisements for “junk food” that are geared toward children.