Helsinki based Holistic Nutritionist, Cecilia, talks about balanced diet

Recipe

17 Jul

“Importance of a balanced diet”

A healthy life is something that we all long for. A balanced diet is one of the most important aspects of trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There is no one-size-fits all approach to nutrition or health. Food is all about individuality, as different people have different likes and dislikes, and they may also respond to foods in different ways. But there are some daily habits that we all can benefit from – like moving our bodies and boosting our intake on wholefoods. In addition to this, we all know that we suppose to aim for the well-known recommendation of 5 a day, preferably 8 a day – making sure we’re getting a minimum of 5 servings of fresh fruit, berries and vegetables a day. The goal is to keep your body healthy, give you energy, and boost your spirits.

What does a balanced diet look like and how do you achieve it?

A balanced diet is one that gives your body the nutrients it needs to function correctly. Personally, I find it extremely important to emphasize that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Eating what you need to meet your nutritional needs and building everyday health doesn’t have to be difficult. I believe in starting with small gradual changes. A good idea is to add a tsp of berry powder to your breakfast bowl, drinking enough water or adding a serving of vegetables to your main meals. Choose one to begin with.

What is important to keep in mind, is that a balanced diet is also more than just food. A balanced diet requires a balanced life. How you sleep, who you hang out with, how your move your body, how you work or spend your free time are all aspects of a healthy life. Not to forget how you listen to the signals your body and emotions gives you. What’s on your life plate might sometimes be a more appropriate question than what’s on your food plate.

The “take away” of this text is that consistency and variety are the keys to a healthy life. Having a balanced diet is not an all or nothing thing – a bit of dark chocolate actually releases feel-good hormones. Instead of focusing on nutrients, focus on eating whole foods instead of processed/junk foods. By getting a variety of different wholesome, real foods, all the nutrients will stack up. There is no single food that provides all the nutrients needed for good health. Eating a well-balanced diet across all of the food groups means that you’re nourishing your body with a broad cross section of nutrients essential for the maintenance and functioning of a healthy body.

If you are keen on finding an easy way to add health to your daily life, my pro tip would be to include a dose of berry powder to your daily food routine. The berries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants and are easily absorbed by the body as they are fully natural. They are also tummy-friendly, as they are high in fiber. Your digestive health, blood sugar levels and energy levels will thank you.

Last but not least – berry powders can be used throughout the day. I love to sprinkle Lingonberry powder in by afternoon smoothie. The jar of red goodness is the perfect high-nutritional afternoon snack that makes me feel make you feel good from the inside out. Try for instance this recipe below.