Contest What do you mean by a balanced diet? / A healthy way of life

A balanced diet is like a lifestyle choice for your body and it is definitely not about going hungry all the time. In fact, it is quite the opposite!!! It is about treating your body right and feeling good about it. It is also about things like potatoes, rice, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, sugar, olives, and plant-based oils and to stay hydrated with water too! They all play a part in this healthy way of life. The most important thing is to feel your body and observe yourself. It always knows what you need and always shows it!

Leafy greens, cherry tomatoes and olives.

Do you have a balanced diet in your life?

Yes, I do. or I'd rather call it a balanced way of life. I make sure to get the necessary fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, but that doesn't include meat and dairy products. For me, these are foods that can be quite harmful to the body, animals and the environment, affecting the entire planet.
The harms of meat consumption significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, kidney and gastrointestinal disorders, the risk of parasitic infections, and raise the chances of developing malignant tumors in the body. There are plenty of videos on the internet depicting the cruelty towards animals, the conditions they are raised in and the use of antibiotics that people end up eating...!

Did you know that humans lack the biological mechanisms to fully digest milk protein from another species? Even our own human milk protein after infancy! Dairy products, due to their high protein content can lead to calcium loss! Research on osteoporosis has linked it to dairy consumption. There is also a lot of data indicating that milk is a risk factor not only for osteoporosis but also for obesity, heart diseases, allergies, diabetes, increased cholesterol levels and even cancer...!

If you can't completely eliminate dairy, at least reduce it to twice a week and no more than 50 grams per day. And do not drink raw milk if you care about yourself.

Red peppers with walnuts, garlic and olive oil

Do you experience any adverse effects from your unhealthy diet?

Years ago, I had issues from an unhealthy diet. I used to drink carbonated beverages and eat unhealthy foods like sandwiches and lots of pizza. And something I noticed after I quit them is that after eating, i no longer felt sleepy, unlike most people. When I travel, i allow myself to try the local food, but I always make sure it is without meat and dairy. Well, it is not that I never try something with dairy, but it's very rare.

What should be added to your daily diet to make it balanced?

As I mentioned earlier, i now focus on eating more vegetables and some fruits, but fruits not in large quantities. I include root vegetables, leafy greens, rice, potatoes, matcha, nuts, olives, eggs, plant based cheese, and I make sure to drink water and green tea. I don't consume water or any liquids 30 minutes before eating and also two hours after eating because it can slow down metabolism! Also, do not forget about dark chocolate. To get calcium i consume sesame tahini and for vitamin B12, besides eggs, i also take it in tablet form.

Eggs with zucchini, olives and spicy pepper

Sugar is exceptionally important for brain function! Some people mistakenly think it's harmful, but whether you get it from fruits, honey, coconut sugar, or another healthy source doesn't matter; the key is to include it in your menu! Just make sure dried fruits don't have added sugar. And when it comes to honey, ensure it's from a producer who hasn't added sugar to the product. Personally, I soak dried fruits in water for about 20 minutes, then rinse them. This way, if there was any added sugar, it gets washed away, leaving the fruit's natural sweetness behind! Stay healthy 🥗

Green beans, cherry tomatoes, capers, peanuts and olive oil.

Some of what I have at home: fruits, rice cakes, Brazilian nuts, rice noodles, kelp powder, red beans, peas, dark chocolate, hummus, vitamin B12, sesame tahini, nuts and pumpkin seed cheese with olive oil and samardala.

@eve73 @silviadiez @soyariadnna girls comment on my post, and you might find yourself wanting to participate too, why not 😉