Why is healthy eating interesting for you?
We all know that eating healthy is important. An unhealthy diet is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. But do you actually eat healthily? And can healthy food also be delicious?
Some statistics….
- Only 27% of the Belgian population gets enough physical activity.
- 75% of Belgians do not drink enough.
- Nearly 90% of the population eats too few vegetables, and 80% eats too little fruit.
- Only 3% of Belgians include enough dairy and calcium-enriched products in their diet.
- 92% of Belgians consume more than 100 g of discretionary foods per day.
- Only 4.1% of women and 1% of men have a daily intake of meat, fish, eggs, and alternatives that is lower than 75 g.
But what exactly is ‘healthy food’?
Scientific research shows that the risk of cardiovascular diseases can be reduced by up to 80% through simple lifestyle changes.
But where should you start? Don’t be too hard on yourself by suddenly banning all your favorite foods. Not only is that very difficult to maintain, but it also increases the risk of missing essential nutrients that your body needs to function properly.
The following key points are important for a healthy diet:
- Varied and balanced diet (see food pyramid)
- A healthy body weight
- Sufficient hydration, while limiting alcohol and sugary drinks
- Adequate intake of starch and dietary fiber, while avoiding added sugars
- Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit
- Choosing foods low in saturated fats and cholesterol
- Limiting salt and salty foods, using more herbs instead
- Ensuring daily physical activity