March 3

The Benefits of a Balanced Diet – How Eating Well Can Boost Your Immune System

A balanced diet provides all the key nutrients our body needs to function efficiently. It consists of foods from all the major food groups – fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. Eating a healthy and balanced diet can significantly boost your immune system. Foods that are rich in nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provide the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to support your immune system.

Eating a wide variety of foods is a key element in keeping our immune system strong and preventing disease. Besides, a healthy diet can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.

Vitamin C, for example, found in citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables, is essential for producing white blood cells that fight infection. Probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt and kefir, can also help strengthen your gut microbiome, which plays a crucial role in immunity.

By consuming a healthy diet, you can give your immune system the support it needs to defend against harmful pathogens and promote overall health and well-being.

Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet because they give your body important nutrients and antioxidants. They are also low in calories and high in nutrients, meaning they can help keep you full for longer.

The term fruit refers to the seeds of a plant. At the same time, a vegetable is any edible part of a plant that is not the fruit, including leaves (spinach, lettuce, cabbage), roots (carrots, beets, turnips), stems (asparagus), tubers (potatoes), bulbs (onions) and flowers (cauliflower and broccoli). Most people know tomatoes are fruits, but did you know cucumbers, peppers, squash, pumpkins, eggplants, corn kernels, beans, and pea pods are all considered vegetables?

Proteins

Proteins are the building blocks of many tissues and organs in the body. They provide structure and support for cells, help make hormones, bind to other molecules within the body, and even fight off invaders.

Proteins can be found in dairy products, such as milk, whey, and casein, as well as in nuts, legumes, and vegetables. Eating a balanced diet that includes proteins can boost your immune system.

Aside from providing a steady supply of energy for your cells, proteins also help your body repair and build new tissue after exercise. You should aim to eat 20-40 grams of protein within a half hour after a workout to rebuild your muscles.

Dairy

Dairy is a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D, all of which help your immune system to be strong. It also contains important nutrients like zinc and selenium, which support your body’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.

You can find dairy products in many different forms, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. They each contain the nutrients you need, offering unique health benefits.

Dairy is a healthy choice for your diet, especially when consumed in moderation and with a balanced plate. Ensure you are getting the right amount of dairy by using our MyPlate Plan to track your intake.

Grains

Whole grains are grains like wheat, barley, corn, oats, rice, and quinoa that remain intact, including the bran (seed coat), germ (embryo), and endosperm. All of these parts contain health-promoting nutrients.

They provide fiber which helps regulate bowel movements, keeps you full longer, and may lower blood cholesterol levels. They also contain B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The endosperm in the grain is made of starchy carbohydrates that the plant uses to make energy. This starch is broken down into glucose and reaches your bloodstream slowly, keeping you satiated.

Refined grains are those that have had the bran and germ removed through a process called milling. They are then processed to make them softer, finer, and easier to cook. Enriched grains are those that have had certain nutrients added back to them, such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron.

Water

Water is one of the most important nutrients for your body. It makes up about 50% (females) to 60% (males) of your body weight, and it supports a variety of biological processes.

It is a solvent, a transporter of nutrients and waste, a thermoregulator, and a lubricant. It is also important for the health of your digestive system. It is also the perfect zero-calorie beverage for quenching thirst and rehydrating your body.

It can help prevent dehydration, a condition that can lead to confusion, mood changes, and problems with your bowels. It is also good for your skin, lungs, and kidneys.

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