A balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health and preventing malnutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects between 25 and 45 million people in the US, and can cause a range of symptoms from diarrhea and cramps to constipation and nausea. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has developed a plan to reduce sodium intake and focus on eating whole foods such as cereals, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, lean meat, nuts and seeds, legumes, fats and healthy oils. Disabled World's recipes and special dietary information category for health conditions offers diet plans and recipes for conditions such as diabetes, allergies, and Crohn's disease. Eating a healthy diet is essential for keeping current and future generations healthy throughout life.
A nutritious diet helps children grow and develop properly and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Adults who eat a healthy diet live longer and have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. A healthy diet can help people with chronic diseases manage these conditions and avoid complications. A healthy eating plan gives your body the nutrients it needs every day while staying within your daily calorie goal for weight loss.
A healthy eating plan will also reduce the risk of heart disease and other health conditions. The NIH plan emphasizes vegetables, fruits, fish, olive oil, nuts, beans, legumes and a small amount of pleasurable foods such as red wine and dairy products. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) develops and promotes food service guidelines that encourage employers and vendors to increase healthy food options for employees. The menu includes staples such as fresh herbs, chicken broth, fresh garlic, extra virgin olive oil, half and half fat-free, fresh seasonal vegetables, and lean meats such as beef and chicken.
CDC-funded programs are working to increase the availability of healthy food and beverages (including water) in coffee shops, snack stores, and vending machines. It's important for people with hypothyroidism to get enough of the nutrients iodine and selenium; however their healthcare provider should monitor their intake as not everyone with hypothyroidism is deficient in these nutrients. Eating too much can cause harm. People with severe COPD can lose a lot of weight because they burn a lot of calories when they breathe; it's also risky if they accidentally inhale their food or drink.
People from low-income communities and some racial and ethnic groups often lack access to convenient locations that offer affordable and healthy food. Even simple dietary changes can have an impact on health conditions such as menopause. The Mediterranean diet is one of the best diets to follow for controlling blood sugar levels; it includes foods such as fresh herbs, chicken broth, fresh garlic, extra virgin olive oil, half and half fat-free, fresh seasonal vegetables, lean meats such as beef and chicken. The CDC initiatives include the publication of guidelines on how schools can provide healthier school meals, smart snacks and access to water.
To limit fat intake to one or two servings per meal choose healthy fats such as canola oil, nuts or olive oil.
