If you’ve ever asked someone how to be healthy, you’ve probably heard this advice: Eat a healthy diet. You don’t need to make huge changes to eat healthier. Just making a few smart changes, and in-taking the right food at the right quantity itself can keep you healthy. Let’s take a look at the foods you can consume and the food you need to avoid to stay healthy.

5 foods to eat

• Rice and wheat: Being Indians, we are used to eating rice and wheat. In fact, rice and wheat are consumed regularly in many parts of India. They provide necessary carbs and proteins for your body. Taking this in the adequate amount will provide you with the maximum amount of energy to do your daily work.
• Fresh vegetables and fruits Fresh vegetables and fruits provide you with all the essential minerals and vitamins required to stay healthy. Moreover, vegetables are extremely low in calories. So, if you’re looking to lose weight, then eat plenty of vegetables. Vegetables can also improve your immunity.
• Dairy products Adequate intake of dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter, ghee, yogurt etc. are rich in calcium, essential fats (PUFA), and minerals for a healthy body. Adding them to your daily diet is always advisable for a healthy lifestyle.
• Fermented food and Meat Some food products which are obtained by the activity of bacterial and yeast fermentation such as curd, bread, fermented dough etc. can provide you with essential microbial nutrients and amino-acids which the human body can’t produce. Meat products such as poultry, egg, mutton, fish are the rich source of proteins. Fish consist of omega nutrients necessary for the development of brain and nervous cells.
• Pulses and whole grains Pulses, whole grains and millets are the blessings to mankind. They are loaded with all the nutrition required for the efficient functioning of a human body and aids in staying healthy. Adding it to your diet 3-4 times a week is ideally recommended.

5 foods to avoid

• Packed and canned foods It is always advised to reduce the consumption of packed and canned foods. As their shelf-life is elongated, their nutrient value becomes lower and sugar, fat and cholesterol level gets increased. Long term preserved meat items are also advised to avoid for better health.
• Fresh vegetables and fruits High cholesterol foods include any foods that contain large amounts of oil. For example, deep fried foods like fried chicken are high in cholesterol. This type of food can lead to fat accumulating in your body and helps you gain unhealthy weight.
• Alcohols and cigarettes It is a known fact that alcohol consumption and cigarettes are injurious to health. Therefore, it is imperative that you stay away from such habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Junk food Junk food literally means the food items that provide you with no energy except sugar, fat and cholesterol(e.g) beverage soft drinks, chips, pizza, burger, street food etc. Their intake only rewards you with obesity.
• Food items allergic to you Apart from the common foods to be avoided, it’s also advised to completely avoid foods which are allergic to you. This can help prevent any complications from taking place.