Maintaining a healthy diet can greatly improve and sustain good overall health and well-being, the food we consume is responsible for providing our bodies with the necessary nutrients to keep going, but if we fuel them with the wrong type of food, it can have negative impacts on our health. In this article, we will discuss the importance of a healthy diet and how it can impact our overall health.
The Role of Nutrients in Diet
Balanced and healthy diets should include a variety of nutrients that are beneficial to our health, these include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Each of these nutrients have a specific role to play in maintaining our health.
- Carbohydrates: Our primary source of energy, and should make up the largest portion of our diets, great sources of carbohydrates include whole grains, fruits, and vegetable.
- Proteins: Required for the building and repairing of tissues in our body, proteins are crucial for maintaining a health immune system, lean meats, fish, and legumes are all excellent sources of protein.
- Fats: Fats are important in providing energy and aiding in the absorption of vitamins, however, not all fats are good for the body, be careful to consume healthy fats such as those found in nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Necessary for maintaining our overall health, vitamins and minerals help strengthen our immune system, regulate our metabolism, and promote healthy skin, hair, and nails. Good sources of vitamins and minerals are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
The Risks of a Poor Diet
Some diets carry risks, consuming a poor diet that is high in processed foods, unhealthy fats, and sugar, can have a range of negative health effects. It can increase the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
Additionally, a poor diet can impact our mental health, which will potentially could lead to symptoms such as depression, and anxiety. Lastly, it can also contribute to fatigue, low energy levels, and a weakened immune system, making our bodies more susceptible to illness and infection.
Supplements and their Benefits
Although consuming a balanced and healthy diet is the best, and most natural, way to receive the necessary nutrients to keep our bodies going, sometimes it is important to take supplements when needed. However, it is essential to always consult with a healthcare professional prior to taking any supplements.
For example, individuals who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet may need to take supplements with vitamin B12, which is primarily found in animal products. Similarly, if you do not absorb enough vitamin D through sunlight exposure, taking vitamin D supplements will greatly help with this, particularly in the winter months.
Creating a Balanced Diet
There are a few tips that you can follow to help in creating and maintaining a balanced diet:
- Prioritize whole foods over processed foods when possible.
- Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Choose lean sources of protein, such as chicken, fish, and legumes.
- Include healthy fats that are found in nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.
- Limit intake of sugary drinks and snacks.
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
- Plan meals ahead of time.
Blood Tests to Monitor your Health
While making dietary choices can keep you healthy, it is important to monitor your health through regular blood tests, so that you can identify any potential health issues quickly. We offer a few blood tests that are targeted on wellness, along with providing tests that explore potential limitations and allergies in your diet such as:
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General well-being blood test
This wellbeing screen is a panel of multiple tests to give an indication of overall wellbeing. Monitoring can help indicate the body's response to changes such as the initiation of a new fitness regime or weight loss or gain plan.
View more details£90.00
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Advanced iron deficiency (Anaemia) test
The advanced anaemia screen includes tests for haemoglobin levels and a full blood count. The results of these tests can show whether you have any signs of general health problems, as well as giving an indication of your overall blood health.
View more details£60.00
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Allergy test
This FastPoc allergy test checks your blood for 20 common allergies, including ragweed, mugwort, grass, rye, birch, ficus/latex, cat dander, dog dander, dust mites, egg white, cow's milk and much more...
View more details£192.00
