Eating your way to a healthy body

By Anna Niec

Eat more fruit and vegetables.
Fruit and vegetables are a rich source of fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Aim to include approximately 500g of fruit and vegetables combined in your daily diet.

Healthy eating tip: Check for color in your diet. The more natural colours, the healthier it is.

Include wholegrain cereals and breads
Wholegrain breads and cereals have a lower GI (the glycaemic index) in comparison to highly processed white varieties. Eating breads and cereals low in GI helps to keep our energy levels steady, and helps to lessen hunger pains in between meals for people following a calorie reduced diet.

Friendly hint: Consume at least one low GI food at each meal.
For a comprehensive list of the GI of foods you may wish to visit www.gisymbol.com.au

Eat fish more often
Fish is a source of W-3 fatty acids. W-3 fatty acids help to reduce harmful build-up of blood fats called triglycerides. Studies show that they are helpful in reducing inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Healthy eating hint: Enjoy fish at least twice a week.

Cut back on saturated fat
Eating too much saturated fat has been linked with elevated cholesterol levels, which in turn has been linked with increased risk of heart disease. Saturated fat is the type of fat which is solid at room temperature, and includes all animal types and coconut fat.

Healthy eating hint: Trim fat off meats and enjoy skinless fillets of poultry.

Drink more water
Drinking plenty of water ensures that we stay well hydrated and that in turn helps to maintain good energy levels. It helps to prevent formation of kidney stones in people susceptible to forming stones.

Friendly hint: Drink at least six glasses of water daily.

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