A Step Towards A Healthy Balanced Diet

Eating a balance diet is important. Ideally we need to eat frequently in small portions. Whether you are a full-time housewife, a student or a career woman the common mistake that we normally do is skipping our breakfast or lunch due to our hectic schedules. Skipping breakfast or lunch will make you gain extra weight! Also skipping meals will make you cranky and unhappy!

Perhaps 2011 is the best time to make the necessary changes in your life and it will not cost you that much.Why not spend about an hour per week at the supermarket, but not for the usual groceries shopping to stock up your kitchen. Instead shopping for something special for you alone...special food items that you need to keep yourself healthy and kicking for the week.

10 items in your shopping list to help you start a healthy day each week.

1. Low fat natural yoghurt. It is a good source of protein and calcium. A cup of yoghurt with nuts, fresh or dried fruits is easy to prepare and is indeed a nutritious breakfast.

2. Fresh fruit juices (no sugar added). A glass per day for breakfast will provide you with an instant energy to kick-start your busy day.

3. Plain oatmeal from Quaker Oats or similar brand. A bowl of oatmeal each morning with dried fruits or berries will prevent cancer and heart disease.

4. Plenty of fresh fruits.Fresh fruits provide you with vitamins, fibres and anti-oxidants.The saying that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is true. Why not make a habit of putting at least one fruit in your handbag a day. It would become handy when you are stuck in a meeting or a traffic jam.

5. Frozen or fresh berries. They are potent sources of vitamins, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Daily intakes can prevent cancer and prevent aging.

6. Mixed nuts (unsalted). A handful per day can reduce stroke.

7. Good quality dark chocolate bar, no sugar added (35 g each). Keep one or two bars in your handbag per week. A chocolate bar with warm cup of tea for a morning or evening snack will make you happy regardless of how stressful the day is.

8. Low calories snacks like oat bars, fortified fruit biscuits, whole grain crackers and low fat cheese. they are very handy when you have a busy week. Keep one or two bars in your handbag per day. In a worst case scenario when you do not have the time to prepare or go out for lunch, one bar with one fruit can satisfy your hunger.

9. Plenty of 100ml drinking water. Always carry your water bottle wherever you go. You need to drink plenty of water during the day.

10. Multi-vitamins. Buy the all-in-one tablets. take one tablet per day after meal as a supplement to your dietary needs.

As a compliment to the above practice, try to add more vegetables to your main meals during lunch or dinner. Now you are heading towards a healthy balanced diet and a happy new you!