Getting The Balance Right - A Guide To Healthy Eating

By: Graham Foster

When trying to create a balanced diet you need to look at the building blocks of a healthy diet once that contains all the essential elements the body needs. Even if you are happy with your current wait you will likely maintain it easier with a balance of carbohydrates (often know as carbs),fat and proteins.

With around 4 calories being produced by one gram of protein it is not suprising that we are encouraged to eat plenty of protein rich foods such as eggs and dairy products (which of course also contain fats), red meats fish and steaks.

When looking at carbs like protein we find that calorifically around 1g of carbohydrate will produce about 4 calories of energy. However when comparing carbs it is much harder as they are more complex and in addition to being food in nature than can also be found in food that is manufactured.

Carbohydrates which are found in nature include rice,some pulses (such as beans),potato's in various different guises, and oatmeal but this is just the tip of the iceberg a wider range of man made carbs are found in cookies, candies, and cakes plus a whole slew of other processed foods.

But you probably won't be suprised to learn that from each gram of fat there are a massive 9 calories. That's right a shocking 225% more calories than either carbs or protein.But few people fully get the implications of this fact.

Nothing is ever quite as it seems as there are a number of different types of fat there are bad fats Trans Fatty Acids and Saturated Fats which are generally derived from animals or manufactured by man. Where as good fats are generally from plants.

But your body needs a balanced diet, so you have to ensure your are getting adequate amounts of all 3 food groups. To live a healthy life and if you maintain this balance correctly you will not become fat or have problems with obesity.

If you choose to have a diet which has a high level of fat or indeed a high level of carbohydrate (especially man made carbs) you increase your chances dramatically to having problems with your weight.If you continue this way may end up extremely obese or as doctors use the term morbidly obese.

Since fat has substancially more calories per gram than both protein & carbohydrates, just ensure the bulk of your diet is a balance of the first two food groups with some healthy fats thrown in for good measure.

Lets look at each type of fat in turn...

Monounsaturated Fats (Monounsaturated Fatty Acids):- These are found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and some plant foods. They are liquid at room temperature. Some times referred to as MUFA's.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (Polyunsaturated Fats):- These are are most commonly found in vegetable oils, fish and seafood. They are liquid or soft at room temperature.Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are types of Polyunsaturated fats and are considered essential fatty acids because our bodies need them but don't make them, thus they must be obtained through the diet. Some times referred to as PUFA's.

Saturated Fatty Acids (SUFA's) are usually solid at room temperature and are found mainly in foods from animal sources like meats, dairy products such as milk and butter. SUFA's are also found in coconut, palm kernel and palm oil.

Trans Fats (TFA's):- These are manufactured vegetable oils which have been specially processed to become solid at room temperature by the addition of hydrogen. You may have heard them called hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils or fats. They have been used in some margarines,junk foods and processed snacks which the manufacturers claim enhances their flavor and shelf life.

A guide is if it comes from a plant it is usually better for you than if it came from animal. Animal fats are found in butter, pastry and shortening as saturated fat. But fats from plants such as Olive Oil, sun flower oil and some margarines (read the label) are unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fat is better for you but will still make you fat.

All fat will make you put on weight, so always keep it in check and maintain a balance.

Article Source: http://appliedhealtharticles.com

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