[Health ★★★★]
1. Eat a Variety of Foods
You need more than 40 different nutrients for good health and no single food can supply them all. Today’s food supply makes it easy to eat a wide variety of foods whether or not you are buying fresh foods to cook, taking advantage of ready-prepared dishes and meals, or buying “take-away” foods. Balance your choice over time! If you have a high-fat lunch, have a low-fat dinner. If you eat a large serving of meat at dinner one day, perhaps choose fish the next day.
2. Base your diet on plenty of foods rich in carbohydrates
Most people do not eat enough of foods such as bread, pasta, rice, other cereals, and potatoes. More than half the calories in your diet should come from these foods. Try whole grain bread, pasta, and other whole grain cereals, too, to increase your fiber intake.
3. Enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables
Most of us do not eat enough of these foods either although they provide important protective nutrients. Try to eat at least five servings a day and if you do not enjoy them at first, try some new recipes or see what ready prepared dishes are available in the supermarket.
4. Maintain a healthy body weight and feel good
The weight that is right for you depends on many factors including your sex, height, age and heredity. Being overweight increases your risk of a wide range of diseases including heart disease and cancer. Excess body fat results when you eat more calories than you need. These extra calories can come from any caloric nutrient like protein, fat, carbohydrate or alcohol, but fat is the most concentrated source of calories. Physical activity is a good way of increasing the energy (calories) you expend each day and it can make you feel good. The message is simple: if you are gaining weight, you need to eat less and be more active.
5. Eat moderate portions
If you keep portion sizes reasonable, it’s easier to eat all the foods you enjoy without having to eliminate any. For example, some reasonable serving sizes are 100g of meat, one medium piece of fruit, half a cup of raw pasta and 50ml of ice-cream. Ready-prepared meals can offer a handy means of portion control and they often have the calorie values on the pack to help those who are counting. If you are eating out, you could share a portion with a friend.
6. Eat regularly
Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in helpless overeating. Snacking between meals can help curb hunger, but don’t eat so much as to substitute for proper meals. Don’t forget to count your snacks as part of your total calorie intake.
7. Drink plenty of fluids
Adults need to drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid a day! Or more if it’s very hot or they are physically active. Plain tap water is obviously a good source of liquid but variety can be both pleasant and healthy. Alternative choices are juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee, milk etc.
8. Get on the move
As we have seen, too many calories and not enough activity can result in weight gain. Moderately physical activity helps burn off those extra calories. It is also good for the heart and circulatory system and for general health and well-being. So, make physical activity part of your daily routine. Use the stairs instead of the elevator (up and down!). Go for a walk in your lunch break. You don’t have to be an athlete to get on the move!
9. Start now!
Gradual changes in your lifestyle are much easier to make than major changes all at once. For three days, write down the foods and drinks you consume at meals and as snacks – Do you have too few fruits and or portions of vegetables? To start with, try to eat just one extra piece of fruit and vegetables a day. Are your favorite foods high in fat and making you gain weight? Don’t eliminate those foods and feel miserable, but try to choose low-fat options or eat smaller portions. And start using the stairs at work!
10. It’s all about balance
There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods, only good or bad diets. Don’t feel guilty about the foods you love, rather eat them in moderation and choose other foods to provide the balance and variety that are vital to good health.
WORDS: 745
SOURCE: http://www.eufic.org/article/en/expid/10-tips-healthy-eating/
VOCABULARY: carbohydrates, intake, heredity, miserable, moderation
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly, summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- How many of the 10 tips do you actually do?
- Do the schools in your country provide healthy meals to their students?
- In your opinion, why do people like to overeat and eat unhealthy food?
READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
- Most individuals eat way too many foods loaded with carbohydrates. (T or F)
- You hunger can increase if you __________ meals, especially ____________.
- Drinking fluids are important, but only consider water, juice, and tea in your diet. (T or F)
- An alternative to using an elevator is the ___________.
- Junk food should be avoided altogether. (T or F)
EXPRESSIONS or PHRASES:
What do the following expressions or phrases mean?
- “take away” foods (#1)
- the weight that is right for you (#4)
- help curb hunger (#6)
- plain tap water (#7)
- burn off (#8)
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